The Elantra is another great compact car from Hyundai that guarantees a refined powertrain, high-end technology, and a sophisticated trim. It has a lot of great features that you'll absolutely adore! But if you're wondering what it means when your Elantra is shaking, don't panic because we researched all the answers you need to know!
A shaking Hyundai Elantra means that there is something wrong with the engine, and this has something to do with the spark plugs, wires, or batteries. When a situation like this occurs, it is best to consult your mechanic as soon as able.
When maintained and properly, the vehicle doesn't disappoint! You can read further for a more thorough discussion, plus dig into Hyundai Elantra's details.
Elantra Shaking: Common Causes And Diagnosis
Here are common causes as to why the Hyundai Elantra is shaking:
Spark Plugs and Wires
The spark plugs and spark plug wires are components of the ignition system. The ignition system plays a very important role in burning the fuel mixture that enters the combustion chamber. They are positioned on top of the combustion chamber to ignite the fuel mixture and start the engine's power stroke.
Spark plugs, along with their wires, technically do a lot of work to make ignition occur -that's why most of the time, they become too old and wear out, which causes your vehicle to shake or vibrate.
Spark plugs inevitably go bad, so it is expected that you replace them every 30,000 miles. You might want to purchase this Autolite spark plug that is iridium enhanced and is guaranteed to be durable and optimize ignitability.
Click here to see Autolite's spark plug on Amazon.
You may also want to check out this video on YouTube by ChrisFix explaining bad spark plug wires and how to check them in case you are having trouble with your vehicle.
Ignition Coil Pack
The ignition coil pack receives instructions from the engine's computer to fire the spark plugs. This is one of the most problematic issues that can occur with the Hyundai Elantra because when this goes bad, the vehicle rapidly shakes, and worst, it won't even start!
It's also just important as checking the spark plugs. Here is YouTube video by Ratchets and Wenches demonstrating how to check your ignition coil pack.
Battery
If the battery goes crummy, it's impossible for the spark plug and ignition system to fire. A bad battery can also cause shaking in the Hyundai Elantra because of too much stress on your engine. This your vehicle to stall out and lose its power to run.
Check out this battery from Optima that consists of 12 volts and is resistant to vibration. What's more, it ensures a powerful performance to your vehicle even in bad weather conditions.
See Optima's battery on Amazon.
Air Filter
When the air filter is clogged or dirty, there'll not be enough passage of air for proper idle conditions in the vehicle. Hence, causing your Elantra to shake.
The best thing to do is check the engine light to find out if the air filter is working well. It's one of the easiest ways to do it. Plus, replacing this is absolutely costless.
This air filter from PHILTOP is a great replacement for your Hyundai Elantra because it guarantees 98% filtration efficiency. Plus, it has an excellent paper filter that can handle a maximum dust capacity.
Click here to see Philtop's air filter on Amazon.
Timing Belts
Another possible cause that shakes your Elantra is loose timing belts or misaligned timing belts from the camshaft. This is one of the most frustrating problems you can ever have as it not only causes shaking, but it produces strange noises and decreases your vehicle's performance.
Replacing timing belts is quite difficult, so you are going to need a mechanic to do the job.
Timing belts also play a very important part in the vehicle's engine as it connects the camshaft and crankshaft to operate synchronously. It ensures that the top piston is in the right position when combustion occurs, and more importantly, it has a tensioner that tightly keeps other parts of the ignition system from jumping.
Here is a YouTube video from Everything Automotive for you to have a visual representation of the part and additional information as to how it should be checked:
Oxygen Sensors
The oxygen sensors play the part of regulating the exhaust to help the electronic control unit of the car get the accurate air and fuel mixture.
The O2 sensors can be considered as one of the most hardworking sensors present in your vehicle because they deal with hot exhausts that cause them to wear out and be futile. When this happens, it causes your Hyundai Elantra to shake, most specifically when idling.
This oxygen sensor from Nifeida is made up of stainless steel that guarantees high-quality replacement. At the same time, it reduces gas mileage and reduces the possibility of rough idling and engine stalling.
Click here to see Nifeida's oxygen sensors on Amazon.
Fuel Injector
Fuel injectors that are dirty, clogged, or dysfunctional cause your Hyundai Elantra to shake because they prevent the fuel needed to enter the combustion chamber. Apart from that, when the fuel injectors are also leaking, they can also cause severe damage to the engine.
To fix this hindrance, you can clean your Elantra's fuel injectors or replace them when they are leaking. Ratchets and Wrenches provide another useful video to help you with this:
You may also want to check "10 Engine Misfire Symptoms Every Driver Should Know" for additional knowledge on engine malfunctions.
Hyundai Elantra Engine And Performance
The Hyundai Elantra boasts a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 maximum horsepower and 132 lb-ft torque. It is available in three trims particularly SE, SEL, and limited.
Additionally, it is also available with a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft torque.
Its transmission is continuously variable automatic with a base engine, available with six, seven, and eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. With that, the Hyundai Elantra is really great for the city and off-road driving.
A lot of Elantra owners have been very satisfied with the vehicle's smooth performance, and they say it's very fun to maneuver and guarantees them to drive with ease.
This video from Winding Road Magazine may be of interest to you as this shows you how the Elantra runs on a test drive.
You may want to go to the vehicle's highlights both on its exterior and interior presented by MEDCARS on YouTube.
Can Transmission Cause A Car To Shake?
Transmission can cause a car to shake, specifically if your vehicle has low automatic fluid transmission.
The transmission fluid lubricates and cools down the vehicle's internal parts. Additionally, it engages the fluid for hydraulic pressure and actuation. To simplify, it keeps your vehicle shifting smoothly and promptly.
Low transmission fluid may be caused by a transmission pan crack, puncture, or gasket failure. When your vehicle is shaking with the engine light on, this could be caused by a fluid line crack, axle seal failure, or torque converter failure.
In the case of manual transmissions, shaking may also mean that there are problems in the master cylinder engine which can be caused by leaks, misfires, and worn-out spark plugs and fuel injectors. When this occurs, the best way to solve this is simply to replace the bad parts that cause the ignition system to be ineffective.
Can Low Oil Cause The Elantra To Shake?
Low, old, and dirty oil reduces the oil's effectiveness to lubricate the engine because it thickens and causes metal friction.
Additionally, low oil also results in causing a rough idle, which causes your vehicle to debilitate. Over some time, the engine ages, and some oil gets burned, which causes it to drop low. When this happens, you need an oil change to avoid damage to the engine.
Changing oil is incredibly a piece of cake, and you can do this all by yourself! Another YouTube video from ChrisFix can show you how it's properly done.
What Does It Mean When Elantra Shakes When You Accelerate?
When the Elantra shakes every time you accelerate, the possible causes of this are the following:
- Damaged inner CV joints
- Broken motor mounts
- Unbalanced tires
- Loose lug nuts
- Bent axle or driveshaft
- Stuck brake caliper
- Torn/disconnected vacuum hose
The shaking can go from minor to violent. For the best, consult someone with legit mechanical skills to help you solve this problem.
You may also want to read "Car Shakes When Turning And Accelerating—What Could Be Wrong?" for a more detailed discussion when it comes to vehicle shaking.
In Closing
Your Hyundai Elantra shaking means a great call for concern. Some causes may be solved all by yourself with determination and research, while most would require a mechanic. Either way, don't ignore the shaking. More importantly, secure the right care for your car to lengthen its lifespan. Ride safe!