Why Is My Car Shaking? | How to check your car for vibrations

When traveling long distances, the biggest fear is encountering vehicle issues, especially when high-speed driving suddenly causes unexpected vibrations, which can be quite nerve-wracking. There could be many reasons for a vehicle to shake or vibrate while driving. If you encounter a long holiday and find that car service centers are closed or if you can't find a service center on short notice, perform a preliminary self-inspection to avoid underestimating potential dangers.

Slight vibrations while driving are normal, as components like the crankshaft, transmission gears, or engine parts are in operation. However, if the vibrations exceed minor levels and turn into uncomfortable shaking, it’s important to investigate the cause thoroughly.

1. What checks should be performed if the car is experiencing shaking?
2. Shaking while driving: Tires, driveshaft
3. Vibrations When Braking: Brake Discs, Brake Drums, Brake Calipers
4. Vibrations at Idle: Engine, Ignition System

What checks should be performed if the car is experiencing shaking?

The most common causes of excessive car vibrations are issues with the tires, wheels, brakes, steering, suspension, axles, or engine. Among these, vibrations most frequently occur in three situations: when the vehicle is idling, driving, or braking. Start by trying to identify where the vibrations are coming from and under which condition they occur.

Is the vibration noticeable only during startup and acceleration?
Does it occur only when turning or braking?
Does it happen only at high speeds?
Does it worsen with acceleration?

Once you have identified the conditions under which the vibration occurs, we gonna take a look at the possible causes:

Shaking while driving: Tires, driveshaft

The most common cause of shaking while driving is a problem with the tires. It could also be related to other components in contact with the road or parts involved in power transmission. Therefore, a preliminary check should start with inspecting the tires and driveshaft for any abnormalities.

Tires

1. Tire Imbalance

If you notice minimal shaking at low speeds but it worsens when you accelerate to 90 km/h, it could be due to an imbalanced tire. The simplest way to check is to see if there are any particularly flat spots on the tire. If the condition isn’t severe, rebalancing the tires should solve the issue. However, if the damage is significant, the tire may need to be replaced.

2. Underinflation

3. Tire Defects or Damage

Tread cupping (wavy tread wear) or excessive wear on one side, an out-of-round tire, or separation between the tread and internal belts can cause the car to vibrate at low speeds (below 30 km/h).

4. Bent Alloy Wheels

5. Low Rolling Resistance Tires

These tires, also known as energy-saving tires, are becoming more common in hybrid and electric vehicles because they reduce drag and improve environmental performance. However, they are stiffer than standard tires, and because they can't absorb many road imperfections, they may also cause vibrations.

Axles/Driveshaft

Driveshaft Damage

The driveshaft rapidly rotates to transfer engine power to the rear axle and wheels in rear-wheel-drive vehicles (or to the front axle and wheels in front-wheel-drive vehicles). If bent, it can cause severe vibrations. If you notice hopping or shaking during vehicle startup or acceleration, inspect the driveshaft for worn ball joints or damaged boots that may be leaking oil. Severe damage can even result in the driveshaft breaking.

Bent Axle

Rough and uneven roads can cause a lot of damage to your car that isn’t immediately noticeable. One potential complication from hitting potholes is a bent axle. When the axle is bent, the faster you drive, the more severe the vibrations will become.

Vibrations When Braking: Brake Discs, Brake Drums, Brake Calipers

Brake Disc

In most cases, brake vibrations are caused by a warped disc. If the thickness or shape of the brake disc changes—commonly referred to as excessive runout or being out-of-round—it will lead to vibrations when braking. You might even feel the brake pedal vibrating when you press it.

Brake Caliper

The brake caliper can also get stuck on the brake disc. When this happens, you may experience steering wheel vibrations when driving at speeds over 70 km/h, and you might even notice a burning smell when you stop.

Brake Drum

Like brake discs, brake drums can also become out-of-round. When pressing the brake pedal, you might feel additional vibrations accompanied by a scraping or sharp, screeching noise.

Vibrations at Idle: Engine, Ignition System

Spark Plugs

Worn or dirty spark plugs can cause one or more cylinders in a gasoline engine to misfire, leading to vibrations when the car is idling or driving at high speeds. This can make the vehicle feel like it's "choking," especially when the ignition is not firing smoothly. This misfiring not only causes the engine to run poorly but can also result in damage if left unresolved. The simplest solution is to replace the spark plugs and check the wiring.

Air Filters & Fuel Filters and Intake

Engine vibrations can also be caused by issues with the air filter and fuel system. Sometimes, a slight adjustment to the fuel intake system, such as adjusting the carburetor's idle speed or cleaning the fuel intake system, can resolve the problem.

It’s also important to check the air and fuel filters. A clogged, dirty, or damaged air filter can reduce the amount of oxygen available during ignition, which decreases the available fuel, since fuel flow is related to the amount of air passing through. When this happens, the engine may shake due to insufficient air and fuel, and a clogged fuel filter can cause similar symptoms.

Loose or Damaged Hoses

If any of the hoses in the car (fuel hoses, radiator hoses, vacuum hoses, etc.) have cracks, breaks, become loose, or detached, it can prevent the engine from operating properly, potentially causing the car to shake, misfire, or stall.

Engine Mounts

If you experience noticeable steering wheel vibrations when the vehicle is idling or in neutral, it’s likely due to aging rubber in the engine mounts, which often occurs in older vehicles.

If your car shows any of the above signs of damage, it's important to visit a repair shop for a thorough inspection by a trusted mechanic as soon as possible.

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