The Hidden Link: Can Low Coolant Cause Car To Shake? 4 Easy Ways To Stop It Now!

Published:

Updated:

Author:

can low coolant cause car to shake

Disclaimer

As an affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. We get commissions for purchases made through links on this website from Amazon and other third parties.

Coolant is essential in your car, and it’s used to control and maintain your engine’s temperature to prevent overheating. However, your car’s coolant can be reduced because of some factors like coolant leaks. Thus, the low coolant can impact your engine and other parts.

So, can low coolant cause the car to shake? When the coolant level drops dangerously, it leads to insufficient cooling. This, in turn, causes the engine to be overheated, and your car goes into limp mode with consistent shaking and vibration. Furthermore, the temperature rise also affects several engine parts.

In this article, I will discuss more about how low coolant causes cars to shake, signs, and some of the reasons for low coolant.

can low coolant cause car to shake

What Is Coolant In A Car?

Coolant is a liquid substance used in the cooling system of a vehicle’s engines. It is a mixture of water and antifreeze used to regulate the temperature of your car.

It absorbs heat, which prevents your car from overheating. Coolant flows throughout your engine. It sucks the heat and then transports it to the radiator, where it is released into the cooling system atmosphere.

Can Low Coolant Cause Cars To Shake?

Low coolant might not directly cause your car to shake. However, extremely low or no coolant will lead to engine problems in your car, which causes it to shake and vibrate. Below are some reasons for car shaking.

Coolant Sensor Malfunction

A coolant sensor measures the temperature of your engine to ensure it is accurate. However, when your coolant sensor is malfunctioning, you will receive an incorrect temperature, and your car can become overheated. Which, in turn, makes your car shake while driving.

Overheating

When there is a drop in your coolant level, it leads to insufficient cooling. This causes the engine to be abnormally heated, leading to engine temperature rise and overheating.

Thus resulting in an expansion and contraction of some engine components, leading to shaking or vibration.

Cylinder Head Gasket Failure

The head gasket is an important part of your engine that seals the combustion chamber, which keeps coolant and oil from mixing.

Continuous overheating due to low coolant levels can lead to a blown head gasket. This happens because of coolant leakage into your combustion chamber, which causes engine misfires, loss of power, and shaking or vibration.

Engine Misfires

Low coolant level, overheating, and cylinder head gasket failure in your car can lead to engine misfires. This causes shaking and vibrations, mostly when you try to maintain a steady speed.

Primary Signs Of Low Coolant In Your Car

Insufficient coolant causes severe engine damage, making it necessary to recognize the indicators of low coolant. Let’s explore common signs and symptoms of low coolant.

Temperature Gauge Is In The Red Zone

When your dashboard’s temperature gauge nears the H mark, it indicates low coolant. This gauge is there to warn you about potential engine overheating

Leakage In The Coolant

Coolant leaking from the reservoir decreases the coolant level in your car. Seeing green or orange water drops under the pipes means there’s a coolant leak.

Mild Smell

It may surprise you to know that another sign of a low or faulty coolant in your car is a sweet or mild smell. If there is a leakage in your coolant, it can be dictated by a sweet or mild smell.

Car’s Heater System Malfunctions

The heater relies on the same coolant that circulates through the engine to generate warm air. If you find that your heater isn’t producing heated air as expected, it’s a strong indication of insufficient or no coolant in your car.

Coolant Below Minimum Mark

You will notice that the coolant mark is below the L mark in the coolant reservoir, which indicates low coolant.

Abnormal And Unusual Noises

Low coolant level causes the water pump and other engine components to make unusual noises due to low lubrication and cooling.

How To Check Coolant Level In Your Car?

Do not check your coolant level if your engine is still hot. It is extremely dangerous to open the reservoir cap because it may shoot out, which causes burns. When the engine is cool, locate your hood and open it, locate the coolant reservoir.

The reservoir has a coolant level marked F and L. The marking should be between the F[full] and L[low] marks on the side of the coolant reservoir. If the liquid is at the F marking, it indicates that the coolant level is full.

However, if the coolant level is at the L marking or below, it indicates that it is low, and you need to add some coolant to avoid overheating.

How To Fix Your Shaking Car?

Here are steps and guides that will assist you in fixing your shaking car due to low coolant.

Timely Fixing

Whenever you notice any malfunctioning of any component of your engine, try to fix it immediately. Do not try to manage a problem, as it may escalate and cause a bigger issue.
Inspect your radiator, hoses, water pump, and other components for visible leaks. If you find any issues, have them repaired or replaced.

Sensor Calibration

If you notice any malfunctioning of the sensor calibration, you must fix it immediately to ensure that the engine receives the correct data.

Seek Professional Help

Seek help from a mechanic if you’re not sure about adding coolant or if you think there’s a leak.

Check and Refill Coolant

Frequently check your coolant level and add more if it’s low. Be sure to use the type of coolant recommended for your vehicle. For example, the Prestone Antifreeze/Engine Coolant is the best antifreeze for all types of vehicles. Also, only apply coolant when the engine is cool to prevent burns.

To add coolant, follow these steps:

  1. Refer to your car’s manual to find the correct coolant type
  2. Ensure the engine is cool before finding and opening the radiator or reservoir cap
  3. Gently loosen the cap to relieve the pressure
  4. Pour coolant into the system until it reaches the ‘Max’ or ‘Full’ mark
  5. Put the cap back on and ensure it’s tightly secured.
  6. Afterward, start the engine and allow it to run for a few minutes to distribute the coolant

Reassess the coolant level a few days later to confirm it remains at the proper level.

Final Words

The reason why your car is shaking is not basically because of low coolant. However, low coolant affects other car components, which in turn begin to malfunction and cause your car to shake. Also, I discussed how you can check the coolant level in your car to ensure a safe and smooth drive.

Note that low coolant levels will not cause a modern car to shake. This is because they are designed in ways that prevent it from starting until it is cool. However, older cars will shake because they have no such features.

About the author

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *