Juddering while driving? The AA explains common causes
Drivers across the country are consistently puzzled by one issue: car juddering. Whether it's a shaky steering wheel, vibrating seat or stuttering clutch, car juddering can leave you feeling unsure inside your vehicle.
The AA shared the most common causes of car juddering while driving, to help you self-diagnose what could be causing the problem.
Most causes of car juddering can be solved if caught early, so make sure to take your vehicle to a professional mechanic as soon as possible.
READ MORE: Warning issued to anyone who has pigeons or doves in their garden
READ MORE: David Dickinson's life with famous grandchildren - including one who appeared on BBC show
Common causes of juddering while driving
These are the most common causes of a juddering car, whether it's stationary, breaking or driving.
A dirty or clogged fuel filter can disrupt the delivery of fuel to the engine, causing engine juddering, rough idling, and hesitation. Insufficient or imbalanced fuel mixtures also impact performance and combustion.
Worn or weak fuel pumps can lead to juddering, reduced engine performance or even loss of power, making your car feel sluggish and unresponsive. This is because fuel pumps need to supply a consistent and adequate amount of fuel to the engine, and worn pumps will struggle to do this.
Excess moisture can negatively impact many parts of your vehicle. If components like the fuel system, clutch and drive belt are exposed to too much moisture or high humidity, this can result in juddering.
Blockages can lead to erratic performance and juddering while driving. Fuel systems are especially prone to blockages caused by contaminated or ageing fuel, low-quality fuel additives, and corrosion. To prevent this, have your car regularly maintained and avoid letting it sit for extended periods with a full tank of fuel.
Broken or faulty spark plugs can cause misfires and rough idling when one or more cylinders fail to ignite properly. This can cause juddering while driving or idle. Defective spark plugs are one of the main culprits behind cars juddering while stationary.
The research also found that car juddering while braking could be due to worn down brake discs or pads.
How to diagnose the cause of a juddering car
Prior to getting a professional mechanic involved, there are a few things you can look out for if you’re trying to figure out why your car is juddering:
Check if any warning lights come on when you start your car. If any come on (e.g. check engine) and your car is juddering, this can indicate what the issue is. A flashing amber engine light is an indication that a misfire has been detected, causing the engine to judder or idle when driving.
Carry out a visual check by inspecting your car. Look at the engine bay, suspension components and undercarriage for any obvious signs of wear, damage or leaks.
Carry out a test drive and listen for unusual noises - If it only judders during a certain manoeuvre (e.g. while braking) then you can narrow down the possible causes of the problem. Make note of any knocking, ticking or hissing noises.
Taking your car to a professional mechanic is your best bet if you have no prior experience with vehicle repairs and the juddering is concerning you.