Why Does My Car Shake When I Accelerate

Shaking during acceleration puts the load on different components than cruising, which helps narrow down the cause.

If your car shakes when you accelerate, the most common cause is a worn CV (constant velocity) joint on a front-wheel-drive vehicle. The CV joint allows the axle to flex with the suspension while transmitting power, and when it wears out, it vibrates under load. You might also hear a clicking noise when turning. On rear-wheel-drive vehicles, a bad U-joint in the driveshaft produces similar acceleration vibration.

Worn or broken motor mounts can cause the entire engine to shift under acceleration, transmitting vibration through the chassis. This is most noticeable when going from stop to acceleration — the engine lifts on one side and the vibration kicks in. A misfiring engine can also feel like shaking during acceleration because one or more cylinders aren't producing power evenly.

Acceleration vibration tends to get worse over time as components continue to wear. Ez Mobile Mechanic diagnoses drivetrain and engine vibration at your Jacksonville location. We check CV joints, motor mounts, and engine performance right in your driveway. We're a mobile mechanic in Jacksonville — no tow truck needed. Call (904) 788-7272 to get it checked.