Why Is My Car Shaking?

When Your Car Starts to Shake

One of the worst feelings while driving is when your car starts to shake.

It’s not only incredibly annoying, but it can also be dangerous.

There are a few different things that could be causing your car to shake, and it’s vital to figure out the problem as soon as possible.

Here are some of the most common reasons your car might be shaking.

Wheel Balancing Issues

One of the most common reasons for a car to shake is an issue with the wheel balance.

If your wheels are unbalanced, they will start to shake at high speeds.

The shaking will usually get worse the faster you go.

You’ll likely feel the shaking in the steering wheel or the seat.

If you think your car might have an issue with the wheel balance, take it to a mechanic, and they will be able to fix the problem.

You can check yourself by looking at the inside or outside of your rim and finding your wheel weights.

They are small pieces of metal that get glued near the outside perimeter of your rim.

Wheel weights balance a wheel by offsetting the weight of the tire.

If your wheel weights are missing or damaged, your car will likely shake.

See if you can find small rectangular patches of glue that look like they previously held a weight.

Tire Inflation or Wear

Another common reason for a car to shake is an issue with the tires.

If your tires are underinflated, they will start to shake at high speeds.

You can check your tire pressure by looking at the driver’s side doorjamb sticker or your owner’s manual.

It’s essential to check your tire pressure regularly and keep your tires inflated to the correct level.

If your tires are overinflated, they will also start to shake.

In addition, if your tires wear out, they will also cause your car to shake.

You can check the wear on your tires by looking at the tread depth.

If the tread depth is less than 1/4 inch, it’s time to replace your tires.

Uneven wear will also cause your car to shake.

If you see that your tires are wearing unevenly, take your car to a mechanic, and they will be able to diagnose the problem.

You can prevent some of these issues by rotating your wheels at regular intervals.

Suspension Issues

Another common reason for a car to shake is an issue with the suspension.

The suspension is what connects the wheels to the rest of the car.

It absorbs shocks from bumps in the road and keeps the ride smooth.

If your suspension is damaged, it will no longer be able to do its job correctly.

This can cause your car to shake, especially at high speeds.

In addition, if your shocks wear out, they will also cause your car to shake.

If you think there might be an issue with your suspension, take your car to a mechanic, and they will be able to diagnose the problem.

Wheel Connecting Components

Another reason a car can shake can be problems with the wheel connecting components.

This includes lug nuts, brake calipers, and wheel bearings.

If any of these components are loose, damaged, or worn out, they can cause your car to shake.

It’s important to have a mechanic check these components regularly to make sure they are in good condition.

It is a good idea to regularly turn your wheel as far as it can go to the left and right.

Then look behind your wheel into the wheel well.

Look for signs of rust on or near the rods and ties behind your wheel.

Check your boots, which are the rubber covers near the joints of components that work together.

These boots should be flexible and unbroken.

If you see wear, signs of cracking, or tears in your vehicle’s boots, be sure to replace them.

Unsprung Weight

Another reason for a car to shake is because of something called unsprung weight.

This is the weight of the components not supported by the springs in the suspension.

The more unsprung weight there is, the more likely the car will shake.

Some of the components that contribute to unsprung weight are the wheels, tires, brakes, and suspension components.

If you have a lot of unsprung weight, it will be harder for your car to absorb shocks from bumps in the road.

This can cause your car to shake.

For example, if you have a large pickup truck or SUV and you decide to put big aggressive tires on it, this may change some characteristics of your vehicle.

Adding ten to thirty pounds of weight to your wheels may exacerbate some issues that were mild before the changes.

Be sure to set reasonable expectations for changes to unsprung weight on your vehicle.

Rotational Vibration

Another reason for a car to shake is because of rotational vibration.

This is when the wheels start to vibrate as they are spinning.

The most common cause of rotational vibration is an issue with the tires.

If the tires are unbalanced or worn, they will start to vibrate as they spin.

This can cause your car to shake.

In addition, if the wheels are not mounted properly, they will also start to vibrate.

If you think there might be an issue with rotational vibration, take your car to a mechanic, and they will be able to diagnose the problem.

Stop the Shaking

There are several common reasons why a car might shake.

Most of the time, it is due to an issue with the tires or suspension.

If you notice that your car is shaking, take it to a mechanic.

You can prevent some issues by having your wheels rotated at regular intervals and by regularly checking your suspension components for wear.

If you keep up with regular maintenance, you can avoid a majority of shaking issues.

Thank you for reading!

We hope this article was helpful.