Have you noticed a shaking or vibration in your vehicle when you’re driving lately? Whether it comes and goes or shakes constantly, it could be the symptom of a severe problem with your car. Below, we’ll explain what it might mean when your car vibrates while driving—from tire and wheel problems to worn-out brake rotors.
Usually, when a car is vibrating or shaking frequently while driving in a steady, monotonous way, it’s because of issues with the tires. There are many ways that problems with the tires can manifest as vibrations in the car, including uneven tire wear, underinflated tires, and even bald tires.
The good news with tire issues is that they’re a relatively easy fix—either inflate them to their recommended pressure or replace them altogether. New tires aren’t cheap, but they’re much more affordable than some of the other major issues we’ll discuss.
Use the penny test to determine if your car’s tires are bald—if you can see all of President Lincoln’s head, it’s time for new tires.
The next thing you’ll want to check on your vehicle is the wheels. If a wheel gets damaged or misaligned in some way—maybe from hitting a large pothole or a low curb—it can cause the rest of the vehicle to vibrate while driving.
If the wheels are the issue, they’re likely misaligned—a difficult problem to diagnose if you don’t have specialized tools. If you feel the vibrations coming through your steering wheel, you may have worn out or damaged wheel bearings. Regardless, wheel problems can be serious, so check them immediately and refrain from driving on damaged wheels.
If your car vibrates while driving, especially when braking, it likely means there’s an issue with the braking system. Every driver knows how essential well-performing brakes are to driving safety, so if you feel a vibration or shaking from the vehicle while shaking, that’s a clear warning sign of brake problems you can’t ignore.
Typically, problems with the brake rotors cause excessive shaking while braking—likely excessive run-out makes the brake calipers vibrate. The brake calipers themselves may also be stuck. Whatever it is, get it checked immediately, as no one should drive without safe brakes.
Does the steering wheel of your car shake and vibrate violently sometimes while driving? That’s a sign that the issue may be due to worn-out or loose components in the steering or power steering system.
If your car’s wheel vibrates when you turn but not when driving straight, there’s a good chance it’s due to worn-out tie rod ends. If the scenario is flipped and the wheel vibrates when driving straight, the ball joints are a likely culprit. Bring the car to a mechanic and explain the conditions of when the vehicle vibrates while driving to give them a better understanding of what’s going wrong.
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