Vibrations from engine at low rpm

[Zdenik]

Hello,

I have a Seat Leon Cupra ST 300 4Drive (2020 model) with a 7-speed DSG transmission, and I would like to ask about the engine's behavior in D (Drive) mode at low RPM, below 2,000 rpm.

I have noticed significant vibrations from the engine, especially in 7th, but also 6th, 5th gear, sometimes they can also be felt from 4th gear onwards. The vibrations occur approximately between 1,700 and 2,000 rpm. What seems strange to me is that there are no vibrations below 1,700 rpm.
I would understand these vibrations if the engine were under load, for example when driving uphill, but they can also be felt while driving on a level road.

My question is for owners of the same model: do you experience similar vibrations, or could there be something wrong with my car?

Thank you very much in advance.

 

[Momochi]

Engine mount? Balance shaft?

 

[cuthound]

I have the same car and don't experience any rev related vibrations

I do occasionally get a droning noise related to road speed, which comes and goes and which I thought might be a wheel bearing, but the independent VAG specialist I take it to for servicing says is caused by the tread on the tyres "saw toothing", so nothing to worry about.

 

[Zdenik]

Engine mount? Balance shaft?

I initially suspected the engine mounts, but my mechanic told me he couldn't find anything wrong with them and that they were still firm and in good condition.

He then explained that this behavior is normal because the engine is being lugged at low RPMs and naturally produces a droning noise and vibrations. However, I find it hard to accept that explanation, as I'm convinced something isn't quite right.

The balance shaft never crossed my mind. However, the vibration only occurs under load and during acceleration. Could a balance shaft really be the cause in that case?

 

[Zdenik]

I have the same car and don't experience any rev related vibrations

I do occasionally get a droning noise related to road speed, which comes and goes and which I thought might be a wheel bearing, but the independent VAG specialist I take it to for servicing says is caused by the tread on the tyres "saw toothing", so nothing to worry about.

If the noise comes and goes, I would also suspect the tyres.

I have another noise issue with my car besides the vibration at 1700-2000 rpm. At around 108 km/h (± 4 km/h), I can hear what sounds like a rolling or humming noise. It becomes noticeably louder in left-hand bends, and I can also feel some vibrations. However, in a right-hand bend at the same speed, the car suddenly becomes quiet and smooth again.
I even tried replacing the wheel bearing on the right-hand side, but it didn't help.

 

[Fritura]

I’ve experienced similar vibrations when passing through that rev range in gears 3,4,5,&6 on anything above a light throttle. Routine tyre changes made no difference. I avoid it by making sure I am light on the throttle in those gears in that rev range and revs, or I drop down a gear. Switching to Eco mode prevents it entirely. 1.8 TSI Manual.

 

[Pinky]

Nothing like this from my one.

 

[SuperV8]

If the noise comes and goes, I would also suspect the tyres.

I have another noise issue with my car besides the vibration at 1700-2000 rpm. At around 108 km/h (± 4 km/h), I can hear what sounds like a rolling or humming noise. It becomes noticeably louder in left-hand bends, and I can also feel some vibrations. However, in a right-hand bend at the same speed, the car suddenly becomes quiet and smooth again.
I even tried replacing the wheel bearing on the right-hand side, but it didn't help.

Which wheel bearing did you replace? Front or rear?

 

[SuperV8]

I initially suspected the engine mounts, but my mechanic told me he couldn't find anything wrong with them and that they were still firm and in good condition.

He then explained that this behavior is normal because the engine is being lugged at low RPMs and naturally produces a droning noise and vibrations. However, I find it hard to accept that explanation, as I'm convinced something isn't quite right.

The balance shaft never crossed my mind. However, the vibration only occurs under load and during acceleration. Could a balance shaft really be the cause in that case?

What oil are you using?
Could be LSPI when lugging the engine. Accelerating at low RPM in high gears is lugging the engine, and not good practice.
Also what fuel are you using? Does it also do this when using premium?

 

[Bahnstormer_vRS]

Lugging at low rpm?

Surely this shouldn't be an issue as the DSG would change down to alleviate the lugging.

As to cause of your vibration? Not sure I'm able to offer any help.

Guy

Sent from my Galaxy S25 Ultra using Tapatalk

 

[Zdenik]

Which wheel bearing did you replace? Front or rear?

Front

 

[nd-photo.nl]

Did you check for misfires?

 

[Zdenik]

What oil are you using?
Could be LSPI when lugging the engine. Accelerating at low RPM in high gears is lugging the engine, and not good practice.
Also what fuel are you using? Does it also do this when using premium?

I'm using the standard oil recommended by Seat (at least according to my mechanic), which is Shell 5W-30. During the last oil change, I also had TEC200 Oil Booster added. I've driven more than 2,000 km since then and haven't noticed any change in the behavior. And iil is changed every 10,000 km.

As for fuel, I only use 100-octane premium fuel, either OMV MaxxMotion or Shell V-Power Racing. I've never used 95-octane fuel or any non-premium gasoline, so I can't compare how the engine behaves on different fuel grades.

Regarding LSPI, I would tend to agree if the vibrations were present from the lowest rpm. However, when the car accelerates from around 1,200 rpm, the booming/vibration noise doesn't start immediately—it only appears at approximately 1,700 rpm. I would expect the vibrations to be strongest at the lowest engine speeds and then gradually decrease as the rpm rises, but that's not what I'm experiencing.

 

[Zdenik]

Lugging at low rpm?

Surely this shouldn't be an issue as the DSG would change down to alleviate the lugging.

As to cause of your vibration? Not sure I'm able to offer any help.

Guy

Sent from my Galaxy S25 Ultra using Tapatalk

The DSG change down, but this is depending on throttle input. If I'm driving in slow-moving traffic and using only light throttle, it often won't downshift on its own, so I have to do it manually.

The same when pulling away in traffic. If the situation doesn't allow me to accelerate more intensively, the DSG in D mode goes right through this rpm range where the booming/vibration occurs.

Everything is perfectly fine in S mode because the gearbox keeps the engine above 2,000 rpm almost all the time.

 

[Zdenik]

Did you check for misfires?

No, can that be checked with diagnostic?

 

[nd-photo.nl]

No, can that be checked with diagnostic?

Yes for sure, any decent computer will show you that (vcds/autel/etc)

 

[SuperV8]

I'm using the standard oil recommended by Seat (at least according to my mechanic), which is Shell 5W-30. During the last oil change, I also had TEC200 Oil Booster added. I've driven more than 2,000 km since then and haven't noticed any change in the behavior. And iil is changed every 10,000 km.

As for fuel, I only use 100-octane premium fuel, either OMV MaxxMotion or Shell V-Power Racing. I've never used 95-octane fuel or any non-premium gasoline, so I can't compare how the engine behaves on different fuel grades.

Regarding LSPI, I would tend to agree if the vibrations were present from the lowest rpm. However, when the car accelerates from around 1,200 rpm, the booming/vibration noise doesn't start immediately—it only appears at approximately 1,700 rpm. I would expect the vibrations to be strongest at the lowest engine speeds and then gradually decrease as the rpm rises, but that's not what I'm experiencing.

LSPI is also involving boost - so it could be there simply isn't enough boost at 1200rpm to cause any pre-ignition? only when the boost comes on stronger - but still at low 1700-2000 rpm it caused issues.

I would check your plugs - see if they look 'happy'?

Why are you using TEC200 Oil Booster? I watch this guy on youtube - whose advice is not to use any oil additive!

 

[nd-photo.nl]

@SuperV8 I found his channel not too long ago, interesting stuff for sure!

 

[Pinky]

Zdenik.

Can you say how you feel the vibrations? Is it whole car? Do you hear them ?

 

[Zdenik]

Zdenik.

Can you say how you feel the vibrations? Is it whole car? Do you hear them ?

These are the typical vibrations we all know from an engine running at too low RPM. A deep booming noise comes from the engine, accompanied by vibrations that can be felt throughout the entire car. The dashboard starts to rattle, and the vibrations can be felt throughout the entire car.

That's why, as I mentioned above, I would understand this behavior if the engine were simply running at too low RPM. In that case, I would expect the vibrations to start at low RPM, for example 1200 rpm and gradually disappear as the rpms increase, with the engine running smoother and smoother.

However, that's not what's happening here. At around 1200 RPM everything is perfectly smooth. The booming noise and vibrations start at about 1700 RPM and disappear at around 2000 RPM.