# Car shakes only on straight **URL:** \ **Category:** Power/Fuel\ **Tags:** golf, diesel, volkswagen\ **Created:** [June 12, 2016, 12:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-shakes-only-on-straight/93510 "2016-06-12T00:35:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rhy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Rhy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rhy)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2016, 12:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-shakes-only-on-straight/93510/1 "2016-06-12T00:35:01Z")
Hi everyone, Please let me know if I haven’t provided enough information as this is my first question, but I’m sure not the last. I have a VW Golf 2005 diesel. Lately (the past 2 months approx) it has started shaking when I go uphill, but not immediately. Accelerating up the hill initially is fine. For the car to shake I have to take my foot off the gas pedal (because someone is braking or turning) and then when I hit the gas again to continue, the car shakes left to right enough that I notice, but not life threatening. It only does this when the wheel is straight. If I make a turn up the hill the shaking stops, until I turn the wheel straight again, and then it continues until I reach flat road in which it ends all together. I am normally mid way up the hill when I need to do this and have decreased to about 25-30 mph and am trying to accelerate to 35-45. I’d really appreciate any input on what you think the problem could be. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2016, 1:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-shakes-only-on-straight/93510/2 "2016-06-12T01:26:34Z")
Does the Check engine iight come on? ---
**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2016, 1:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-shakes-only-on-straight/93510/3 "2016-06-12T01:41:24Z")
Shaking while accelerating is commonly caused by a bad drive axle inner CV joint. ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2016, 1:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-shakes-only-on-straight/93510/4 "2016-06-12T01:52:42Z")
Besides an inboard CV joint it could be a loose ball joint or bushing. Get a good mechanic (preferably not a dealer or franchise shop) to inspect the suspension. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2016, 4:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-shakes-only-on-straight/93510/5 "2016-06-12T04:32:18Z")
“It’s not life threatening” --WRONG-it is not supposed to do that and delaying having it corrected could be catastrophic to you or someone else. ---
**Author:** ![Rhy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Rhy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rhy)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2016, 6:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-shakes-only-on-straight/93510/6 "2016-06-12T06:25:15Z")
Thanks everyone for your quick answers! Barkydog, the check engine light does not come on. Thanks again. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2016, 3:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-shakes-only-on-straight/93510/7 "2016-09-01T03:44:08Z")
There can still be diagnostic codes stored in the computer memory which can be very helpful clues to a problem like this, even with the CEL off. Suggest to start by reading those out. Shaking going uphill , two causes are common, - driveline problems (usually something loose in the axel) or something loose in the suspension system - the engine is faltering for some reason, usually for a diesel it would be a compression problem or a fuel mixture problem. Since ti seems to be affected by the steering angle, more likely a driveline or suspension problem. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2016, 4:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-shakes-only-on-straight/93510/8 "2016-10-28T16:12:08Z")
The bottom line here is that there are a number of possibilities that include both the drivetrain and the engine and the vehicle can and should be looked at by a reputable shop. Until you know what’s causing the problem, assume it could be a safety issue. You’re better to assume it is and find out it isn’t than to assume it isn’t and have a wheel fly off. ---
**Author:** ![wentwest](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wentwest/32/6073_2.png) [@wentwest](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wentwest)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2016, 8:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-shakes-only-on-straight/93510/9 "2016-10-29T20:12:38Z")
Looks like VW is about to buy your car back. Call a dealer and find out how long it’s going to take. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2016, 9:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-shakes-only-on-straight/93510/10 "2016-10-29T21:18:08Z")
The Volkswagens being bought back are 2009-2015 vehicles, I don’t believe the emissions standards were as difficult for the manufactures to meet in 2005. ---
**Author:** ![wentwest](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wentwest/32/6073_2.png) [@wentwest](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wentwest)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2016, 3:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-shakes-only-on-straight/93510/11 "2016-10-31T03:48:54Z")
Oh darn. I thought I had a swell solution, but no, wrong again.