Is your car vibrating, shuddering, or shaking out of the ordinary? Read this article to find out the reasons behind this condition.
If you have a car, there is a good possibility that you will develop some sort of auto problems with time. And vibration is one of the most bothersome and most common problems of them all.
It is an annoying car issue that starts gradually, quietly, and so subtle that you probably miss or decide to ignore it. However, it tends to progress with time. So, if you ever notice your vehicle wobbling or shaking, it is time to find out what is happening.
In this article, we will discuss five common culprits that might be the reason behind your vehicle’s vibration. Let’s get started!
Engine Issues
Sometimes, the engine compartment can be the reason for a shudder or shake when the engine does not get the necessary amount of fuel, spark, or air required to function smoothly.
If your car manifests shaking and jerking when you try to increase the speed or rumbling within a particular speed range, there might be a misfiring engine issue. And to fix this, you need to look for any error in the ignition coils and spark plugs. Also, make sure to inspect the cylinder compression and vacuum leaks.
Again, if the vibration issue is not linked with any specific speed and occurs when you park or stop the car with the engine on, there is a chance that your engine mounts are damaged and require replacement.
Also, if your car’s fuel or air filter is clogged or dirty, the engine will lack its required fuel or oxygen supply. Both filters are easy to change and are quite inexpensive. Therefore, it is wise to replace these filters regularly as per the instructions in the owner’s manual.
Vibrations due to engine issues may not be the most common, but they are the most frightening ones. Therefore, to avoid further damage to your engine or any accidents, any issues regarding your engine should never be ignored.
Bad Tires
The most common cause of vibration issues is bad tires. If your vehicle vibrates only at definite speeds, adding small weights may erase the imbalance, but if the damage is extensive, it’s wise to replace it.
The vibrations may also be caused by uneven tire wear. Check your tire tread, and if you find that it is wearing down on one part than another, make sure to rotate the tire to get even and smooth tire wear.
Defective tires may also become out-of-round and cause vibration and bumping. Solving this usually requires tire replacement.
Vibrations can also be caused by over or under-inflated tires. In such cases, your tires can’t make smooth contact with the roadway, leading to the rattling and drifting of the car. This can be simply avoided by regularly monitoring and adjusting the tire pressure per the manufacturer’s specifications.
Damaged or Bent Wheels
Wheels usually give rise to steering wheel vibrations. And one of the possible reasons may be damaged or worn wheel bearings. Although wheel bearings are long-lasting, they may be damaged or not function properly in rare cases.
Another issue may be the tie rod ends. Your vehicle can only properly align if the tie rod ends are sufficiently worn out. It causes vibrations on the steering wheel when the car is driven around a curved road. Drives on a straight road usually remain symptomless.
Wheel runout can be another reason for the vibration of your vehicle. It means any alteration from an actual circular spin. This wheel problem can either cause a wobbly, sideways motion in the wheel or up-and-down vibrations in your car.
Contact a qualified car service provider to have your tie rod ends and other components inspected to identify the culprit behind your steering wheel shakes.
Damaged or Warped Brake Rotors
If your vehicle shakes more at the time of applying the brakes or stopping the vehicle, there is more chance that the problem is in the brake rotors. It is a disc-shaped constituent of the disc brake systems, which applies pressure on your brake pads and contacts the wheels to slow down the car.
If you use the rotor heavily or do not regularly change the brake pads, it may become warped and bent. Essentially, one particular part of the rotor is overheated and becomes deformed. As a result, brake rotors can not be properly gripped by the brake pads and calipers, and this causes vibrations.
Therefore, if you feel like the vibrations are only there when stopping your car, immediately contact a brake specialist to avoid further impairment to the brake rotors.
Bent or Uneven Axles and Driveshaft
Bent or uneven axles can also cause vibration. The axles are the rotating, long shafts attached to the wheels, conveying transmission power into them.
Even though axles are quite durable, they can be crooked due to driving in a ditch, collisions, or over an object or speed bumps on the highway. If this occurs, you will feel annoying jolts while driving. This usually escalates in intensity when you drive faster.
It is also possible that the driveshaft is hampered. A briskly spinning part of your car is necessary to transfer the engine’s power to the wheels and axles. If it is damaged or bent, it can shake and vibrate.
The Bottom Line
The above-stated reasons are usually the most common ones causing car vibration issues, but remember that they are not the only culprits. No one knows your vehicle better than you.
If there is any unusual jerking, shaking, or noise, you will be the first person to notice it. Therefore, learn to listen to your vehicle and not disregard the warning signs. Happy driving!
