Why is My Car Shaking?
There are many components that can cause vibrations in your car. This article will look at some of the most common problems that will make your car shake or vibrate.
Causes of vibration can be anything from the steering system, driveline, engine, or suspension system. The suspension system, which can contribute to vibrations, consists of a series of arms, rods, ball joints, bushings, wheel bearings, steering knuckles, and struts. All of these components together amplify vibration when one or more components start to fail.
Car shakes at all speeds.
A bad wheel or tire is one of the most common problems that will cause your car to shake at all speeds. Once a rim bends, you will feel it start to shake the steering wheel at all speeds. A tire can also cause the same symptoms out of round.
If the engine itself is shaking and causing the car to shake, the problem is typically due to an engine misfire or clogged catalytic converter.
Other possible causes include:
- flex disc damage
- our of balance driveshaft
- lack of wheel alignment
The steering wheel vibrates when braking
Common Cause: Warped Front Brake Rotor
Average Repair Cost: $350-$500
Symptoms:
- Vibrations in the brake pedal
- Steering wheel shaking when braking
- Steering wheel vibrations when slowing down
The brake system is responsible for bringing the vehicle to a stop. A few components in the braking system can contribute to the vibration.
The brake system consists of brake pads, rotors, calipers, master cylinders, etc. The common vibration problem when braking is due to warped rotors and uneven brake pads.
Usually, when brake pads start to wear down, they can grind the rotors and warp them. Remove the tires and inspect the brake system. Ensure the calipers are not seized, and the brake hardware that holds the brake pads is still in place. Furthermore, all moving components on the brake system, such as the sliding pin, should be lubed.
Vibration in Drive or Reverse
Common Cause: Bad Motor Mount
Symptoms:
- Vibration in the car steering wheel
- Vibrations in the car seat when stopped.
- Car vibrating in gear
- The door or side mirror vibrates.
- Vibrations when stopped at a light or STOP sign.
The motor mount is responsible for absorbing vibration from the engine and, at the same time, supporting the engine.
Over time, the rubber on the motor mounts starts to deteriorate. This decreases the motor mounts’ ability to absorb the vibration. In the park, the position is where the vibration can be felt.
For example, you can feel the vibration at the stoplight when stepping on the brake pedal. To check for bad motor mounts, simply place the vehicle in park with the engine running. With the foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever from park to reverse and park to drive.
If you hear a clunking noise, one or more of the motor mounts is bad. Remember, there are a lot of components that can contribute to vibration. Make sure to inspect the steering, suspension, and brake system.
Learn more about troubleshooting motor mount problems.
Car shakes at high speeds.
Symptoms
- Vibrations at highway speeds
- Car vibrations at high way speed
- The car body has vibrations.
- Driveline vibrations
- Car seats vibrate while driving.
The most common vibration at high speed is due to an unbalanced or slightly bent wheel. A bad tire can also cause this problem.
If you have a seriously bent wheel or damaged tire, your car will vibrate badly at all speeds, and the steering wheel will shake if the bent tire is in the front.
The second common problem is due to a worn strut and shock absorber. The shock absorber and strut absorb the vibration caused by the wheel, making contact with the road. The third common problem is due to worn steering components. For example, a worn rack and pinion can cause vibration at all speeds and is more noticeable at high speeds.
Car shaking & check engine light flashing.
Cause: Engine misfire
Common Problem: Bad Spark Plug or Ignition Coil
If your car is shaking and the check engine light is flashing, it means that one or more cylinders are not working. This problem can be caused by various parts, the most common being a bad spark plug or an ignition coil.
Don’t drive your car extensively if the engine is shaking and the service engine light is flashing. If you have to drive under these conditions, monitor the engine temperature.
Also, avoid going uphill and accelerating quickly. Drive the car home or to a mechanic for further diagnostics. You or your mechanic needs to plug an OBD-II scanner into the OBD-2 port under the dash and read the code.
You will likely get codes such as P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, and P0304, which are engine misfire codes. Whatever code you get, write them all down and research online what they mean for your particular make and model.
If the problem is the spark plug, ignition coil, or even the mass airflow sensor, replace the defective part. All these parts are simple to replace, even for beginners who don’t mind getting grease on their hands.
Regardless of who is going to fix your car, avoid driving your car if it is shaking and has the check engine light flashing. You will cause serious engine damage and possibly damage your catalytic converter. Don’t let a small, inexpensive repair turn into an expensive car repair.
Diagnostic Flow Chart
The following flowchart, courtesy of Tire Rack, can help you narrow down vehicle vibrations. Follow the chart from top to bottom to pinpoint the source of the vibrations in your car.
Frequently Asked Questions
Vibrations from bad tire vs. bad rotors?
Steering wheel vibrations can be caused either by a bent wheel, worn tire, or bad rotors. There is an easy way to distinguish between the two. If the vibrations happen all the time as you drive, the cause is the wheel, band rim, or worn tire. If the vibrations happen only when you brake, the cause is a worn rotor. If the cause is a warped rotor, it doesn’t mean that your brakes will fall out. To fix this problem, you will need to remove the rotor and turn them or simply replace the rotors. If the disk doesn’t have enough metal left to be within spec after it is machined, the rotor will need to be replaced.
Steering wheel vibrates at low speeds vs. high speeds.
If your steering wheel shakes or vibrates at low speeds, the most likely cause is a tire or bent wheel. If the steering wheel vibrates at high speeds such as 60mph, the cause is often a wheel balance or alignment issue. Another way to tell that the vibrations are due to a wheel balance issue is that those vibrations may go away if you drive under 55mph or once you go over a certain speed. Have your tires balanced and perform an alignment check as well.
What are some other possible causes of vibrations?
Vibrations can also be caused by driveline issues such as a damaged flex disc or u-joint. Vibrations can be caused by an engine that runs rough, but these vibrations are most often noticed when driving or at a stop light. Bad CV joints can also cause vibrations. The worn differential can also cause vibrations. ABS pump may also cause vibrations sometimes felt as pulsating of the brake pedal. These types of vibrations are often more difficult to track down.
We hope you find the Why is My Car Shaking guide helpful. Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your vehicle.
