Anyone else’s car violently shake at startup? It doesn’t happen very often but it seems to happen very randomly and it’s very disconcerting. It goes away after I place it in gear. There are no error messages or other outwards visible signs of an issue.

Before the peanut gallery comes out blaming user malfeasance, I don’t believe it is bad gas as I always use premium, expensive fuels and it’s occurred over multiple different tanks of gas from different gas stations. Moreover, it only happens at startup. Other than an occasional weird idle speed/vibration at stops, it drives fine.

Yes, I intend to go back to the god foresaken can’t-fix-anything-in-one-day because they’re probably backed up a mile long with failing cars dealership.

 

Call the dealer and reserve a courtesy car. They will schedule you when one is an available.

 

If it happens again take a video.

 

This to me is a problem that traces to plugs and/or coil packs. I wish NGK had the brainpower to produce ruthenium plugs for our engines. After that I'd look into new coilpacks. Is there a check engine code? Is the battery ok?

 

No check engine light comes up. It does feel like a misfire, though. The entire body shudders and it feels like the engine is stumbling. However, if I place it in gear, it subsides a lot, but it is still rough. Yes, I’m going to take it in but I don’t have much faith and I damn tired of constantly going back there with no loaner in sight or reserved months out.

 

Model year of the car? Engine?

Sounds like it could be torque converter-related, more so if early model year car.

The torque converter "locks up" around 50-60 mph / 80 km/h to save on fuel and disengages on load to provide more torque.

This doesn't explain the issue coming up while turning at slow speeds however.