Car care · Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center · Elgin, IL
Car Shakes When Accelerating: What to Check
A shake or vibration that shows up when you press the gas is worth checking. The owner's manual does not list causes for shaking under acceleration, but it does say packed mud or slush can unbalance a wheel and cause vibration, and it covers tire checks and what to do about an engine misfire. Here is what it says, using the 2026 Ram 1500 owner's manual as the example.
Wheelsmud or slush packed in them can unbalance a wheel
Lug nutscheck torque 25 miles after a wheel is mounted
Tiresinspect for uneven wear, cuts, cracks and bulges
Flashing MILimmediate service is required
The short answer
The 2026 Ram 1500 owner's manual does not list causes for a car that shakes when accelerating. It does say that unusual vibration after driving in mud, slush or similar conditions can come from material packed into the wheels, which can cause a wheel imbalance; clearing it corrects the situation. It also says to check tires for uneven wear, cuts, cracks and bulges and lug nuts for tightness, and to have the vehicle serviced promptly for engine misfire or other apparent loss of performance. Our advice: if the shake does not have an obvious cause, have a technician find it.
Shaking, vibration and what the manual says
The 2026 Ram 1500 owner's manual does not have a section on shaking under acceleration. These are the related conditions it does describe, and what it says about each:
| What you notice or find | What the manual says |
|---|---|
| Unusual vibration after driving in mud, slush or similar conditions | Check the wheels for impacted material. Impacted material can cause a wheel imbalance, and freeing the wheels of it will correct the situation. |
| A wheel was recently removed or mounted | After 25 miles (40 km), check the lug nut/bolt torque to be sure all the lug nuts/bolts are properly seated against the wheel. |
| Uneven tire wear, objects in the tread, cuts, cracks or bulges | Part of the periodic safety checks: examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear patterns, check for objects lodged in the tread or sidewall, inspect for cuts, cracks and bulges, and check the lug nut/bolt torque for tightness. |
| Unequal or incorrect tire pressures | Unequal tire pressures can cause steering problems, and under- or overinflation affects the stability of the vehicle. Drive with each tire at the recommended cold inflation pressure. |
| Engine misfire or other apparent loss of performance | Have the vehicle serviced promptly. Continued operation with a severe malfunction could cause the catalytic converter to overheat. |
| A flashing check engine light (MIL) | Severe catalytic converter damage and power loss will soon occur. Immediate service is required. |
From the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual, Engine Check/Malfunction Indicator Warning Light (p. 144), After Driving Off-Road (pp. 231-232), Periodic Safety Checks (p. 304), Exhaust System (p. 322), Tire Pressure (pp. 352-353) and Torque Specifications (p. 373), read November 11, 2026.
Wheels and lug nuts
Look for packed mud, slush or similar material. The Ram manual says that if you experience unusual vibration after driving in mud, slush or similar conditions, you should check the wheels for impacted material. Impacted material can cause a wheel imbalance, and freeing the wheels of it will correct the situation.
Check the lug nuts after a wheel is mounted. In its torque specifications for wheels, the manual says that after 25 miles (40 km), you should check the lug nut/bolt torque to be sure all of them are properly seated against the wheel. Its periodic safety checks also include checking the lug nut/bolt torque for tightness.
After extended operation in mud, sand, water or similar dirty conditions, the manual says to have the radiator, fan, brake rotors, wheels, brake linings and axle yokes inspected and cleaned as soon as possible.
From the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual, After Driving Off-Road (pp. 231-232), Periodic Safety Checks (p. 304) and Torque Specifications (p. 373), read November 11, 2026.
Tires
The Ram manual's periodic safety checks say to examine the tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear patterns; check for stones, nails, glass or other objects lodged in the tread or sidewall; inspect the tread for cuts and cracks; inspect the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges; and check every tire, including the spare, for proper cold inflation pressure.
It says unequal tire pressures can cause steering problems, and that both underinflation and overinflation affect the stability of the vehicle. Improper cold tire inflation pressures can also cause abnormal wear patterns and reduced tread life.
On rotation, the manual says timely rotation helps reduce unequal front-to-rear wear and contributes to a smooth, quiet ride, and that the reasons for any rapid or unusual wear should be corrected before the tires are rotated.
From the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual, Periodic Safety Checks (p. 304), Tire Pressure (pp. 352-353) and Tire Rotation Recommendations (p. 360), read November 11, 2026.
Engine misfire and warning lights
The Ram manual says that in the event of engine malfunction, particularly involving engine misfire or other apparent loss of performance, you should have the vehicle serviced promptly. Continued operation with a severe malfunction could cause the catalytic converter to overheat, resulting in possible damage to the converter and vehicle.
It says the check engine light (Malfunction Indicator Light, or MIL) may flash while the engine is running to alert you to serious conditions that could lead to immediate loss of power or severe catalytic converter damage. If the MIL is flashing, severe catalytic converter damage and power loss will soon occur, and immediate service is required.
From the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual, Engine Check/Malfunction Indicator Warning Light (p. 144) and Exhaust System (p. 322), read November 11, 2026.
Notes that help your technician
Our advice: before your visit, write down when the shake happens (only when speeding up, at a certain speed, or all the time), whether you feel it in the steering wheel or the seat, whether it started after a tire change, a pothole or driving in snow or mud, and whether the check engine light is on or flashing. Those details help a technician narrow down the cause faster.
This section is our own advice, not from the owner's manual.
What not to do
Get immediate service for a flashing check engine light. The manual says immediate service is required.
Do not ignore a tire with a bulge or cut. The manual's safety checks call for inspecting sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Do not fit tires or wheels that are not approved for your vehicle. The manual warns that some combinations of unapproved tires and wheels may change suspension dimensions and performance characteristics, resulting in changes to steering, handling and braking.
From the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual, Engine Check/Malfunction Indicator Warning Light (p. 144), Periodic Safety Checks (p. 304) and Replacement Tires (p. 355), read November 11, 2026.
Get a shake checked at Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center
Our online service request lists tire balancing, front-end alignment, tire rotation and engine tune-up among the services you can ask for. Schedule service or see our service specials.
Our service department at 1200 E. Chicago St. in Elgin is open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is closed Sunday. Get directions.
Shaking when accelerating FAQ
Why does my car shake when I accelerate?
Causes vary by vehicle, and the 2026 Ram 1500 owner's manual does not list causes for shaking under acceleration. It does connect unusual vibration to wheels unbalanced by packed mud or slush, and it says to have the vehicle serviced promptly for engine misfire or other apparent loss of performance. A technician can check your vehicle to find the cause.
Can mud or slush in the wheels cause shaking?
Yes. The Ram manual says impacted material can cause a wheel imbalance, and freeing the wheels of it will correct the situation.
Should I check my lug nuts after a wheel is mounted?
In its torque specifications for wheels, the Ram manual says to check the lug nut/bolt torque after 25 miles (40 km) to be sure they are properly seated against the wheel.
Is it safe to drive if the check engine light is flashing?
The Ram manual says a flashing light means severe catalytic converter damage and power loss will soon occur, and immediate service is required.
Can tire pressure make a car feel unstable?
The Ram manual says both underinflation and overinflation affect the stability of the vehicle, and unequal tire pressures can cause steering problems.
What are your service hours?
Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. We are closed Sunday.
Feeling a shake?
Visit us at 1200 E. Chicago St. in Elgin.
Sources
Tire, wheel, lug nut and engine information is from the 2026 Ram 1500 owner's manual, read November 11, 2026. Other vehicles differ; follow your own manual. Your own vehicle's labels and owner's manual are the authority for your vehicle. Our address and service hours are from our own website, checked the same day. Photo is of our dealership.
- 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual (Mopar): Malfunction Indicator Light, After Driving Off-Road, Periodic Safety Checks, Exhaust System, Tire Pressure, Replacement Tires, Tire Rotation Recommendations, Torque Specifications (PDF pp. 146, 233-234, 306, 324, 354-355, 357, 362, 375; printed pp. 144, 231-232, 304, 322, 352-353, 355, 360, 373), FCA US LLC via vehicleinfo.mopar.com, read November 11, 2026
- Service page: address and hours, Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center, read November 11, 2026