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Car Shakes While Driving? Know Why 

  • Car Care Tips
  • Gerard Stevens
  • 7 minutes

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We all love to drive on highways at great speeds. But, how would you feel when you experience car shaking while driving? A shaking steering wheel or a vibrating cabin can be annoying and dangerous at the same time. Vibrations like these are signs of an underlying problem with your car that you need to rectify for road safety and comfort. 

The reasons for a vibrating car are easy to evaluate and discover for expert drivers. However, it will be challenging for newcomers, especially when they experience car shaking at high speeds. Beginners who notice their car vibrating should have it repaired as soon as possible to avoid harming other car components.  

The car’s vibration cause can be due to various aspects. Fortunately, most of the problems that cause car shaking while driving are simple to fix. Here’s more info on why a car vibrates and the solution!  

Why is my car shaking while driving? 

When a car shakes if you go over 60 mph, it’s usually not the same as when it shakes when moving slowly. So, you must determine when the vibration occurs to trace the source of the issue and get it repaired at the earliest. What if you experience car shaking while driving at low speeds, constant speed, or when it is idle or brakes? There are numerous reasons for vibration at each level. Here we list some of the few reasons for experiencing car shaking at high speeds. 

Save $3000/year on car service expenses

1.Bad tires

You may have an unbalanced tire if you detect vibration while driving at high speeds after putting new tires on your car. An imbalanced tire will create moderate vibration while traveling along the road at an average speed. The shaking will become more evident as the wheel rotates faster, leading to a shaky steering wheel. Bad tires are most likely to blame if you detect vibration at a constant speed that worsens at higher speeds.

2. Loose lug nuts

It often happens after you visit a mechanic. A mild or severe wheel wobbling might happen if you or a technician forgets to tighten the nuts after working on the suspension. The lug nuts further loosen and fall off if not tightened soon and could result in a collision. So, always double-check the lug nuts after wheel tightening and before hitting the roads. 

3. Poor spark plugs

Lousy spark plugs can lead to an engine misfire. A clogged or bad spark plug can make your car vibrate idling, and it can also cause the vehicle to vibrate while driving. If you haven’t changed your spark plugs in a while, it is the best time to clean or replace them. Whether you choose to replace or clean the spark plugs, make sure you do it on all of them. 

4. Broken engine mount

The engine mount’s main duty is to link the engine to the vehicle body. Another function is to act as a damper. So, it decreases vehicle vibration, and the driver and passengers don’t have to deal with it. A broken engine mount creates vibration in the seat at highway speeds. As the engine weight is not correctly resting where it should, it may cause misalignment of other vehicle parts. A broken engine mount can sometimes affect the gearbox mount.

5. Brake caliper gets stuck

A car will vibrate if it has a stuck brake caliper. Though you won’t feel the vibration, the vibration will be evident on the steering wheel as you accelerate to 40-50 mph. The steering wheel will continue vibrating as you add additional gas to your car. The wheels will radiate a burning odor. If you suspect a stuck brake, inspect all wheels and smell them to discover which one creates a burning odor. You can find a small amount of smoke in the caliper area.

6. Bent axle and driveshaft

The axle may bend if you encounter an accident or strike a huge rock. It may produce some unnoticed issues that will become apparent over time. A bent axle will produce considerable shaking when you speed 40-50 mph. The vibration will increase as the speed goes up. A driveshaft bends over time and causes car shakes while accelerating at low speeds. The vibration will rise and worsen as the car accelerates as you push the gas pedal.  

Do you want to know more about common car problems? Here’s the info!

How to fix car shaking while driving

via GIPHY

The best way to avoid car shaking at high speeds is to rectify the issues that lead to it at the earliest. 

1. Do a wheel balance

Take the tires to a mechanic or alignment shop. The technician will place the unbalanced wheel/tire on a balancing machine to fix the imbalance.

2. Get loose lug nuts tightened

You can have this simple fix without visiting a mechanic. To fix this, park your car on a level and hard surface. Then block off two wheels. Double-check the lug nuts using a torque wrench.

3. Clean or replace spark plugs

A clogged or dirty spark plug won’t supply enough spark to run the engine smoothly. You can fix this issue by cleaning or replacing the old spark plugs.

4. Replace the broken engine mount

The majority of the engine mounts are not repairable. Still, you can repair some of them by replacing the bushing within the side. Drive the car to a mechanic shop for a replacement once you find a broken engine mount. You should dismantle and examine all engine mounts on the floor. Replace all mounts that have slight cuts on them.

5. Service brake calipers

If the calipers cause car shaking while driving, it needs service by cleaning and smoothing the pistons. Check the caliper pins to make sure they’re working fine. The next step is to purchase a new caliper and assembly.

6. Replace bent axle and driveshaft

Car axles are expensive. If you doubt a bent axle, take your car to a mechanic shop to fix it. They will either replace or straighten it. Driveshafts rarely bend unless they get severely damaged in a collision. When damaged, replace them with new ones. 

Why does my car shake when I go over 60 mph?

via GIPHY 

There will be various reasons. Uneven tire wear, an imbalanced tire, a worn-out driveshaft bearing, malfunctioning brake components, and various other reasons will lead to car shaking while driving above 60 mph. But, unbalanced wheel tires are the common cause of car shaking at high speeds. These issues happen mostly when new tires get installed. Vibrations on the floor and seat indicate unbalanced rear wheel tires. At the same time, vibrations on the steering wheel indicate unbalanced front wheel tires.  

Frequently asked questions about car shakes.

via GIPHY 

What are the other reasons for experiencing car shaking at low speeds, constant speed, or when it is idle or brakes?

A car may shake due to wheel issues like bent wheels or imbalanced tires, worn-out driveshaft bearings, or loose suspension. Other causes include transmission problems, engine issues, brake-related problems, and issues while idling. Factors like worn spark plugs, dirty fuel injectors, and loose battery cables can contribute to shaking. Additionally, braking-related causes may include uneven brake rotors or worn-out brake pads.

How much does it cost to replace a broken engine mount?

Thinking about replacing an engine mount? It typically costs $478 to $532, covering labor and parts. Signs include excess noise and vibrations. Timely replacement prevents damage to other parts. Keep in mind, these estimates exclude taxes or additional repairs.

How often should spark plugs be replaced or cleaned?

Change spark plugs every 30,000-100,000 miles, clean them at 30,000 miles if needed. Signs of bad plugs: start-up issues, rough idling, sluggish acceleration, decreased fuel economy, misfiring, and knocking. If cleaning doesn’t work, replace the plug.

Car shaking while driving: The Conclusion. 

Whether it be an old or new car, vibration at high speeds is bad. A car shakes at high speed when there is a severe problem with the car. So, driving at a lower speed range won’t solve the problem. So, try to fix the issues as soon as you notice them. Inspect the causes and try to fix them. Take the car to a mechanic to get professional help if you can’t fix it yourself.

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