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What's Wrong With Your Vehicle When It Is Vibrating?

28 June 2023 by Herman Mills

It can be quite concerning when your vehicle starts to shake or vibrate unexpectedly. It can happen at high speeds when driving or when it is parked, and those vibrations are an indication of an underlying issue that needs to be repaired. Here are a few issues that may cause a vehicle to vibrate.

Tire Problems

A common reason for vibrations is an issue with your tires. A problem as simple as uneven tire wear can cause your entire vehicle to vibrate when traveling at high speeds. It can also happen by not balancing your tires after they are installed, which is done by installing weights around the rims to keep them balanced while spinning. Check your tires regularly to ensure that they are in great shape. 

Wheels Alignment Problems

It is worth taking your car to an auto shop to see if the wheels are in alignment since proper alignment is a common cause of shaking. Even if you had a wheel alignment when new tires were installed on your car, it's possible for them to become out of alignment through normal wear and tear. You may hit a curb or run over a big pothole that is enough to throw the wheels out of alignment by accident. You should have a smooth ride by ensuring that all the wheels are pointing in the proper direction.

Brake Problems

Your brake system can contribute to shaking while driving at high speeds or braking at low speeds. This can happen due to brake rotors that are worn down or brake pads that have uneven wear and apply pressure in an odd manner. You may feel a pulsing in the brake pedal without knowing where it is coming from

Suspension Problems

The purpose of your suspension is to help you not feel those bumps in the road as you travel over them. Unfortunately, the suspension can be worn out in ways that cause you to feel those vibrations. It could be damaged struts or shocks or some component on the suspension that has failed and needs to be replaced. You may also notice a lot of excessive bouncing, poor vehicle handling, or a particularly bumpy road when on an uneven road. 

Engine Problems

There are plenty of things that can happen to the engine that cause vibrations. This includes engine misfiring, which can cause problems with acceleration. Pay attention to how your vehicle shifts gears, odd noises, or sluggish engine performance, since they are often tied to vibration issues. 

If your car has vibration problems, reach out to an auto repair shop in your area. 

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