One thing to keep in mind is that rough idling is not the problem – it is a symptom to an engine
issue that has yet to be diagnosed. Your engine could be idling roughly due to a number of different
reasons. One reason for a rough idle is it could be time to clean out the fuel injectors or it could
be time to change out the spark plugs.
Other reasons for the rough idling include:
Exhaust problems.
Holes in the air intake valve.
A general loss of power in the car.
It may also occur in the winter months when cars have a more difficult time starting and may
shake when the engine is turned over.
In order to prevent this problem from happening, you want to regularly schedule tune-ups for your
vehicle. During a tune-up the mechanic reviews a number of areas within the engine to make sure that
everything is working properly. If your vehicle has already begun to experience this issue it is
recommended that you run a diagnostic check to pin point the exact cause of the rough idle. It is
recommended that you bring your car to a trusted mechanic to review and diagnosis the problem. You
can also go to an auto parts store and use a code reading device that they have available and
proceed from there with repairs. A rough idle should be addressed right away; as the longer this
symptom occurs the more damage could be done to your vehicle, which will ultimately be more
expensive to repair.