As far as vehicular problems go, dealing with a gas pedal that vibrates when you accelerate isn’t so bad. You can still definitely drive your vehicle from point A to point B if the gas pedal vibrates.
Still, that doesn’t mean you can disregard the issue. Feeling excessive vibrations when you step on your gas pedal could point to an issue that’s expensive to repair when left unresolved.
Issues That Can Cause a Vibration in the Gas Pedal During Acceleration
It’s never a good sign when a vehicle’s parts start doing things they shouldn’t. While a vibrating gas pedal might not be as serious a problem as, say, an overheating engine, it’s still an indicator there’s something wrong with your daily driver.
Here are some of the possible explanations as to why your gas pedal vibrates when you accelerate.
Faulty Spark Plugs
Worn-out spark plugs can cause a wide variety of problems, such as rough idling and engine misfires.
Malfunctioning CV Joints
When outer CV joints begin to wear significantly, the tracks where the balls run will develop dimples that will cause the CV joints to pop during turns. Inner CV joints, which are supposed to plunge with suspension angle changes, can cause the entire drive train to vibrate in some cases and the vibration may change with throttle angle and speed.
Seized Brake Calipers
The brake caliper is the part that applies pressure to the brake pads that pinch the brake rotor when you apply brake pressure. The brake rotor is directly mounted between the rotating hub and the wheel to stop the vehicle.
The caliper piston has a square sealing ring that distorts when the piston applies the brakes, and the square cut ring naturally returns to its original shape, acting as a spring to help the piston retract when the brakes are released.
Some caliper pistons are steel and some are composite material, while the caliper housing may be aluminum or steel.
If the brake fluid contains enough water (brake fluid absorbs water), steel pistons can seize in their calipers and fail to release so that the brake on the wheel with that caliper is always applied, which tremendously heats the brake rotor and causes it to warp and even crack, and as the rotor changes shape, pulsations can be felt while driving.
Tire Imbalance
If your tires are unbalanced, you might feel vibrations in your steering wheel and seat.
You might have to deal with other problems too, such as poor handling and stability, uneven and accelerated tire wear, and loud noises when driving.
Pro Tips are nuggets of information direct from ASE-certified automobile technicians working with CarParts.com, which may include unique, personal insights based on their years of experience working in the automotive industry. These can help you make more informed decisions about your car.
Pro Tip: Some tires never need to be rebalanced after they are originally mounted. Others may need balancing periodically.
Tires can go out of balance due to various factors and conditions, such as uneven weight distribution, improper tire installation, inconsistent tire wear, and bad driving habits. The simplest solution would be to replace your vehicle’s tires completely or in pairs to make sure all of them wear evenly.
Worn-Out Input Shaft Bearing
If the input shaft bearing on a manual transmission is compromised by brinelling wear or if the transmission is low on transmission oil, the transmission will be noisy in every gear except the direct drive gear (usually fourth gear). Manual transmissions will destroy the input shaft bearing and the input shaft gear, as well as the cluster gear if the transmission is driven a lot with low fluid levels. And there is typically no low fluid warning on a manual transmission.
Broken Engine Mounts
When an engine mount separates, the torque of accelerating can shift the powertrain to the point that you feel it through the gas pedal. If it feels like the whole engine moves or lifts when you accelerate in one direction but not the other, suspect a broken engine mount.
How to Prevent Your Vehicle’s Gas Pedal From Vibrating
While knowing why your car is vibrating when accelerating can help you resolve the issue, it’s better to prevent the problem altogether. To cover all your bases, bring your ride to a professional often for proper servicing and maintenance.
Having a trained mechanic inspect your vehicle can help you address issues immediately and nip potential problems in the bud.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gas Pedal Issues
Why do I feel a vibration in my gas pedal at low speeds?
More often than not, there might be something wrong with your vehicle’s engine mounts if you feel vibrations in your gas pedal when driving at lower speeds. You might also feel your car shaking and hear it rattling if the engine mounts aren’t properly installed.
It’s important to address this problem as soon as possible because driving with faulty engine mounts can put a lot of strain on the engine, potentially damaging it.
Why does my gas pedal vibrate when idling?
If your gas pedal vibrates due to rough idling, your crankshaft or your transmission might be damaged. It’s strongly recommended to get your vehicle serviced by a professional to confirm and resolve this issue.
What does it mean if I feel a slight vibration in the gas pedal when accelerating at 50 mph?
For drivers who consistently feel a vibration from the gas pedal when driving at speeds between 50-60 mph, there’s a good chance that there’s something wrong with your vehicle’s wheels and tires.
Odds are the wheels are misaligned or the tires are worn. It’s recommended to inspect your vehicle’s tires to see if they’re due for a replacement.
Where to Get High-Quality Spark Plugs, CV Joints, and Brake Calipers for Your Vehicle
A handful of reasons could cause the vibration in your gas pedal when accelerating. Due to this, there isn’t a universal fix that will make your troubles go away. As soon as a mechanic has identified the root cause of the issue, it’s important to replace faulty parts right away.
Thankfully, CarParts.com has affordable yet high-quality replacement spark plugs, CV joints, or brake calipers for you to choose from.
Our website offers an excellent variety of auto parts and accessories. Carefully handpicked by a team of industry professionals, our products are guaranteed to last long.
Shopping for car parts online has never been this easy. All you have to do is enter your vehicle’s year, make, and model into our vehicle selector to start browsing compatible products for your ride.
Never worry about going over budget when you shop from us. All our replacement parts come with a low-price guarantee, helping you get the best value for your money. Order now, and we’ll deliver everything you need in as fast as two business days.
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