Why Is the Car Shaking After an Oil Change?

Why Is the Car Shaking After an Oil Change?

An oil change is a process of removing and replacing oil. There are many reasons to change your oil, but you typically do it to remove contaminants and deposits inside the engine. 

The shaking is caused by adding too much oil that causes mismatched oil levels.Newer engines have specific guidelines on what to use when changing your oil. You must weigh the engine while the oil level is at a particular point, or the vibrations may cause problems such as armature voltage drop and metal fatigue.

Other possible causes of car shaking:

1. Metal Friction

Metal friction on the engine and transmission, boasting mismatched oil levels. Newer engines have specific guidelines on what to use when changing your oil.

Be sure you follow those guidelines precisely so you keep everything intact.

2. Damaged Engine Mount

Your engine mount is damaged; faulty auto repair shop practices can cause it. Make sure you buy an engine mount from a reliable mechanic and not some cheap knockoff of the real thing.

3. Uneven Tire Tread

Your tires can wear out unevenly, causing the car to shake when driving at a certain speed. It’s easier to tell what problem you have with a visual inspection from a professional mechanic or savvy owner.

4. Brake Calipers/Brake Pads/Caliper Pads

The brake calipers are worn out, causing you to have a hard time slowing down or stopping. It’s wise to check your brake pads and replace them as soon as possible.

5. Brake Rotor wears Out

This is one of the most common problems on old cars that are still driven today. The rotors grind against each other when the car brakes and will eventually wear through to expose the metal lining behind it.

6. Worn-out Brake Fluid

Brake fluid is your car’s blood, so you must change it regularly. If you need to know when to replace your brake fluid, ask a mechanic or look up an auto repair manual.

Can Too Much Oil Cause Engine Vibration?

Yes! When an engine has too much oil, it can cause engine vibration to worsen and even cause considerable damage.

This is especially a problem in cars and trucks with fuel injection systems that require precise weight distribution.

You must weigh the engine while the oil level is at a particular point, or the vibrations may cause problems such as armature voltage drop and metal fatigue.

To avoid this, you must change your oil regularly and use only high-quality motor oils, like Pennzoil Ultra Platinum or Amsoil Premium Synthetic Motor Oil.

Pennzoil Ultra Platinum has a high-performance full synthetic motor oil for all vehicles, delivering ultimate protection, excellent gas mileage, and performance in gasoline and diesel-powered engines.

Ultra-Platinum provides excellent wear protection, even at low temperatures where other synthetics may falter.

In addition, there is no need to drain old oil before adding new (this is required with synthetic blends), thereby reducing overall maintenance time and cost.

Pennzoil Ultra Platinum has a pleasant, clean, neutral scent. This helps maintain interest in the car, which helps keep the car in good condition and reduces the chance of a mechanic being able to notice the oil change.

The Pennzoil Ultra Platinum Engine Oil meets or exceeds all original equipment specifications.

It is formulated with advanced technology to provide excellent protection in all engines, including turbo, fuel injection, and variable valve timing engines with nitrous oxide injection systems.

The product has a low flash point, which means it should not harm catalytic converters and will not cause unnecessary engine wear or premature failure over time under normal operating conditions.

Why Would the Car Run Rough After an Oil Change?

1. Wrong Oil Type

Your old car needs high-quality SAE 5W-30 oil. The oil you put in your engine is crucial to its performance and longevity. Putting the wrong type or the wrong weight of oil can lead to serious engine issues.

2. Wrong Filter Change Interval

If you keep your filter on time, sludge and other dirt from upstream will start building up in your new engine’s internals and clog up vital parts such as the pistons and valves.

3. Low Oil Pressure

If your oil pump runs slow or is not working, the oil may get diluted, and eventually, you will need to service the engine, or worse, the pump will fail.

4. Bad Oil Quality

Most people think that all oils are made equally, and if you get cheap oil from a local shop, you won’t have any problems with it, but this is only sometimes true.

5. Incompatible Oil Filter

If you use a new and incompatible oil filter, the oil will get trapped on the sides of the filter and will not be filtered at all. The old, dirty oil will then mix with the fresh and clean oil, which can cause severe engine damage.

6. Low Level of Oil in The Crankcase

If your car is low on oil, there is nothing to absorb shocks from moving parts inside your engine.

7. Cracked Engine Block

If you find cracks in the engine blocks of various cars, this can potentially cause serious damage to your car.

The cracks could also lead to an air leak in your engine, leading to huge problems such as a blowout or cracked pistons.

What Are the Main Symptoms of Too Much Oil?

Oil Leakage	Oil leakage is a telltale sign you need to service your car. If you see some oil under your engine or around the seals of your engine block, it’s time to call in a mechanic. Small amounts of oil on the ground is normal due to heat and pressure from high-speed driving, but if it persists or accumulates in large quantities, it may indicate a worn seal or gasket. Car engines should not leak oil, so any oil leaking is a sign of a problem with the engine.
Engine Roughness	Engines aren’t supposed to be smooth – that’s for a sewing machine. However, if you notice unusual roughness when your car accelerates or shifts gears, this can be a symptom of too much oil. If your engine is having trouble going into gear, it may require an oil change and service from a mechanic.
Engine Knock	Engine knock is a loud, metallic noise that worn mechanisms and problems with the engine can cause. It’s a sign that the oil is old or dirty and may require service from a mechanic. Even if an oil change is performed, it doesn’t mean the problem will disappear. Your engine may need repairs to properly maintain it or a complete overhaul to fix its needs.
Engine Overheating	If its automatic transmission, you should expect to occasionally have to reach into a footwell or between seats to get to the dipstick and check your oil level. If your car has air conditioning, it can be very uncomfortable during hot days or long trips. Checking the oil level frequently will help keep your engine at its ideal temperature. If your car is heating up while the engine is running, you may notice that the oil is warm or even hot. This means the engine’s oil level is low, or there is a leak. You should look for an oil leak and ask your mechanic to check your engine to ensure it’s not adverse for a complete overhaul.
Engine Noise	If you notice unusual noises coming from your car, you should immediately contact a mechanic and have him look at it. Be sure to call ahead so he can inspect the problem and schedule an appointment if necessary. Check your engine for oil leakage if you hear unusual sounds from under the hood or around the engine.
Engine Performance	If your car is not performing as it should, or you notice a loss of power and acceleration, take it to a mechanic immediately. It indicates your engine requires repairs or an overhaul. Overheating may also make your engine vibrate at high speeds or even cause it to overheat.

Can I Drive the Car If the Engine Is Shaking?

No! If you feel your engine shaking, you should stop driving. If the engine shakes enough while driving, it can stop the car altogether. Letting that happen is dangerous and could damage your car or worse.

It’s much safer to wait for a mechanic to get you fixed up than to continue driving.

The shaking happens when things are out of balance in your car, something inside the engine is not working correctly, or something in the vehicle has come loose (usually from a rough bump or fall).

You must fix the engine to keep your car moving forward.

As soon as you notice the shaking, stop the car and call a mechanic. If you wait until it stops running, you could damage your car beyond repair or be in a precarious situation.

Everything inside your engine is switched on and working together when you drive. You must balance the pistons, valves, and crankshaft to keep the engine running smoothly.

The pistons and valves work together to convert the power from the fuel into motion that pushes your car forward.

The crankshaft works with the pistons to convert the loose motion of the moving car into a tighter, more useful force that keeps the wheels spinning around on their axles.

How Does an Engine with Too Much Oil Sound Like?

1. Noisy Engine

A noisy engine is a sign of an engine with too much oil. If the piston rings are over-oiled and no air can enter, they will not be able to produce enough gas so that the engine can run properly.

2. Sluggish Engine

A lack of proper lubrication, such as gasoline, diesel fuel, or oil, often causes a sluggish or rough-running engine.

If there is an insufficient lubricant in the system, this will cause friction as parts move against one another during operation.

3. Engine Leaks

An engine with too much oil will leak from the valve cover gasket, timing cover gasket, and crank seal.

Too much oil makes the engine cover gasket swell and causes it to crack, allowing oil to leak into the combustion chamber and interfere with the piston ring’s ability to draw in air.

This forces the engine to burn more lubricant, making it run rough.

4. Oil Sludge

If the oil has too much insoluble, it can form a thickened gooey substance called oil sludge in places where the oil is hot and still.

When this happens, the engine will lose power as it is no longer appropriately lubricated. As the engine overheats, more and more sludge builds up.

Eventually, it will clog the rod bearings and cause them to fail. The same happens to other engine parts, including camshafts and valve lifters.

5. Clogged Oil Filter

A clogged oil filter indicates that the engine has too much oil. Worn or damaged bearings, valves, and pistons often cause this.

A clogged oil filter will limit airflow through the engine, causing excess oil to be pulled into the crankcase.

The piston rings cannot suck in as much air with a clogged filter, so they need more lubrication, which increases the risk of engine failure.

What Causes a Car to Be Shaky?

1. Defective Tire

It may not be immediately apparent, but your vehicle’s age, condition, and loading can all affect how well it handles.

A tire that’s wearing down from excessive use and road damage is a perfect example of why your car may be rattling or shuddering.

2. Damaged Suspension

All parts of your car – particularly ball joints and shock absorbers – must be in good, working order for it to drive smoothly.

If they aren’t up to par, you risk getting more than just some mild vibrations at the wheel. You could get into an accident too!

3. Bent Wheel

A bent wheel, or one that’s been hit or otherwise damaged, is a sure way to shake your ride to pieces.

Every time you apply the gas pedal and break, your tires need to do an extra job of turning that wheel. That translates into more vibration, which worsens the longer you drive with a bent wheel.

4. A Bad Alignment

A badly-aligned wheel helps create excessive vehicle vibrations by hitting the wheel bearings. Taking it in for alignment is usually enough to eliminate the problem.

Still, if you’re having trouble driving smoothly, you need to replace your wheel bearings even after an adjustment.

5. A Bad Wheel Bearing

Your wheel bearings, the hardware that allows your wheels and tires to spin – are essential to your car’s handling and performance.

If they’re not working correctly, they can cause several issues, including rattling, vibrations, and decreased fuel efficiency.

Can Low Engine Oil Cause a Shake?

Yes! Low engine oil can cause the engine to shake while driving, making it seem like there is a problem with the car when it is simply a lack of oil.

Low oil levels can also cause small leaks in the sealant around valves and gaskets, which require repair as soon as possible to prevent any significant damage to your vehicle.

Park the car on a flat surface, preferably concrete, and turn off the ignition. Wait a few minutes, then check your oil level.

If it is too low, you should stop driving your car immediately and take it to a mechanic to replace the oil.

Keep an eye on the temperature gauge. Low oil levels can also cause poor engine cooling, making your car run hotter than usual.

Your car may make knocking noises if the engine is lacking oil. The noise will be hard to hear when the car is being run but listen for it after turning off the ignition.

If you hear this knocking sound, take your car to a mechanic to check it out as soon as possible.

If there was an oil leak in the sealant around valves or gaskets, then you will need a new cylinder head or a complete engine rebuild.

Always maintain your car by taking it to a mechanic when the oil level is low.

Can You Feel the Difference After an Oil Change?

Yes! After an oil change, your car will run smoother and more efficiently than ever before. In addition, you’ll also notice your car starts more quickly, is more fuel-efficient, and performs much better in the snow.

You’ll significantly reduce your chances of worrying about maintenance and repairs by regularly getting oil changes. It’s worth the investment.

Benefits:

• Runs smoother.
• Engine starts quickly.
• Less repair bills.
• More fuel efficient.

Oil changes are an essential part of maintaining a vehicle that will last for years to come. It is important to remember that oil changes are not a one-time thing.

You should do the oil change on a schedule, the frequency of which depends on the vehicle.

For example, you should change every 3,000 miles on an average-used vehicle or every 5,000 miles on a car driven 80% off the highway. Oil changes are important for the engine to perform at its best.

The oil helps your car to do what it needs to do. For example, an engine built for high performance needs a more efficient lubricant than one used for long commutes around town.

Does My Engine Need to Be Cold To Add Oil?

Yes! The way that a normal engine runs is very sensitive to temperatures. When you add oil, the system’s temperature will rise for only a few seconds.

The oil starts to flow and then takes its time to cool down again. If there isn’t enough oil around, it will quickly reach a temperature where it cannot add any more, and your engine won’t be able to start.

If you’re like me and often have to add oil when your engine is warm, you’ll likely get a lot of this.

When you add oil to a cold engine, there are very hot spots in the system that can cause problems.

Oil flows better in areas with lower heat (that’s why putting oil on your windshield wiper blades is a good idea) and runs much cooler than the rest of the engine (or at least much cooler than the rest of your car).

In short, adding oil when the engine is cold will flow to some hot spots and leach out of the system. It could work better.

Again, depending on how much oil you add, it won’t be too noticeable immediately (it would if you added a full quart at 60mph), but it could cause problems down the road.

So, if you want to avoid this or haven’t been doing it, remember to wait until the engine is warm.

On a side note: If your engine is overheating, most of the time, this will cause oil consumption. This is another reason why waiting until the engine is warm is a good idea.

Conclusion

Finding out that your engine needs an oil change can be daunting. It doesn’t have to be, though. By following the rules above, you’ll have much less of a problem with oil changes and will keep your car running longer and more efficiently.