Car Vibration? Master Tech With 30 Years Experience Shows How to Find the Cause
About this video
Car shaking and you are not sure if it is the tires, the rotors, or the engine? Most people guess, replace the rotors, and the vibration is still there. In this video, an ASE Master Technician with over 30 years of experience shows how to diagnose a car vibration the right way. He checks the tires, checks for engine misfires, explains how to tell warped rotors from other causes, and uses a temperature gauge to catch a stuck brake caliper.
WHEN DOES IT VIBRATE? THIS TELLS YOU WHERE TO LOOK
Only at highway speed, usually 55 to 70 mph: tires, wheel balance, or a bent wheel
Only when braking: rotors, or a caliper that is sticking
At idle or sitting at a light: engine misfire or worn motor mounts
Only when accelerating: misfire under load or a worn axle
All the time and getting worse with speed: tire damage or a failing wheel bearing
In the steering wheel: usually the front end
In the seat or floor: usually the rear
SAFETY FIRST
Brakes and wheels get extremely hot after a drive, so never touch a rotor or wheel to check temperature. Use a temperature gauge from a safe distance. If you lift the vehicle, work on level ground, chock the wheels, and always support it on jack stands, never on a jack alone.
WHAT WE COVER
Asking the right questions first: what speed, braking or not, steering wheel or seat
Checking tires for uneven wear, flat spots, bulges, separated belts, and wrong pressure
How a tire that is out of balance or out of round feels compared to a brake problem
Checking for engine misfires and how a misfire can feel like a drivetrain vibration
How to know if it is the rotors: pedal pulsation and steering wheel shake only under braking
Why rotors that look fine can still cause a vibration
Checking for a stuck brake caliper by comparing wheel temperatures with a temperature gauge
What a big temperature difference from one side to the other tells you
Other signs of a dragging caliper: pulling to one side, a burning smell, and heavy brake dust on one wheel
RELATED FAULT CODES AND WARNING LIGHTS
A vibration from the engine often comes with a check engine light and misfire codes such as P0300 for random misfire or P0301 through P0308 for a specific cylinder. A flashing check engine light means an active misfire, so do not keep driving. Tire and brake vibrations usually set no codes at all, though you may see the TPMS light for low pressure or an ABS light if a wheel speed sensor or bearing is involved.
DOES THIS APPLY TO MY CAR
This is a universal diagnostic process. It applies to nearly every car, truck, and SUV, including Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, Ram, Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, Mazda, Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.
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