Q: Rough idling during cold starts

asked by on May 12, 2016

When I start my SUV in the mornings, it idles for about 30 seconds before sounding normal. However, if I don't wait a while before driving, when I'm sitting at a red light, the idling drops and I have to go into neutral in order to rev it up. My dealership has done regular maintenance, but the problem still exists. What can I do to get this fixed?

Car idle is rough Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

The vehicle will have to have the throttle body and idle air control valve checked to see if it needs to be cleaned. Also, the engine will need to be checked for any vacuum leaks when the engine is cold.

Once these are checked, then a diagnosis can be done. You should have the parts cleaned on a regular basis anyway to help the idle to be normal. If you need help, have a mechanic like one from YourMechanic, come to you in the morning so they can determine the cause of your rough idling issue and make any repairs that are needed.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Car has parasitic battery drain.
I would have a technician such as one from YourMechanic do a parasitic drain test (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-will-not-hold-a-charge-inspection) on the battery. This is where you connect a amp meter to the battery and pull out fuses until the drain stops to determine...
2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo won't stay running
Hello. Problems such as these can be caused by many things. Anything ranging from a bad vacuum leak, to a faulty idle air control valve (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/idle-control-valve-replacement) will cause symptoms such as these. As engine performance problems can many times be...
ABS and traction control light on dash. cruise control doesn't work.
You will have to have the ABS system (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/5-essential-things-to-know-about-your-car-s-anti-lock-braking-system-abs) scanned and not just the engine computer scanned. You will have to monitor the wheel sensors if you get no codes, but if the light is on there is a code...
My 08 scion xb vibrates at 55 mph
You did not specify the transmission you have but the problem sounds like an issue with the constant velocity inner joint. When these joints start to have problems with vibration they are known to exhibit problems under a load and...
Cruise control quit working on 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII
Hello. Thanks for writing in about your 1998 Lincoln Mark VIII. There is a recall for the cruise control malfunction of your vehicle. The Recall is number 69179. The recall (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-to-do-if-your-car-is-recalled-by-jason-unrau) seems to point to a faulty cruise control (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-cruise-control-works)...
How many hours should it take to replace a left rear axle on a 2007 freightliner, century series?
Hi there. Your question depends on whether the axle and flange gasket was replaced with an oil top off or the axle, flange gasket, wheel bearings, brakes, wheel seal, and gear oil was replaced. If the axle and flange gasket...
P0300, P0303, P1313, and P1314 codes are read on the scanner.
Hi there. The codes p0300 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0300-obd-ii-trouble-code-random-multiple-cylinder-misfire-detected-by-jamahl-walker) and p0303 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0303-obd-ii-trouble-code-cylinder-3-misfire-detected-by-spencer-clayton_2) are for the engine having a misfire. P0300 is for a random misfire where p0303 says that cylinder 3 had a misfire all the time. The code p1314 (http://obdii.pro/en/code/P1313) means that...
My electronic throttle control light is flashing and when I press on the gas pedal it doesn't go pass 20-30 mph and stalling
Hello. Thank you for writing in. The two sensors work together to track the location of the pedal as its being depressed. One is located on the pedal while one is located on the firewall. It is best to replace...
My battery drains itself like a ghost every now and then. Whats the problem?
Hello, thank you for writing in. The battery may be having several issues. If you have had the battery tested, and it passes all of the tests, then you are looking at parasitic draw. This is an electrical component, sensor,...

Related articles

What Is the Difference Between a 4-Stroke and 2-Stroke Engine?
Four-stroke and two-stroke engines have similar components, but don't work the same way. Four-stroke engines are often found in off-road vehicles.
How Long Does a Thermostatic Vacuum Sensor Last?
Winter Winter can make for tricky driving conditions - just starting up your vehicle can be a bit more of a chore. When the engine is cold, it takes a few minutes before it reaches optimal temperature and you should...
How to Prep an Engine Block for Paint
When When you are rebuilding an engine (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-a-modern-engine-works), you’ll probably want to paint the engine block. It serves a few purposes including being clean and attractive in appearance, protecting from corrosion and rust, and offering a custom look, even matched...