Car shakes and vibrations can be alarming for drivers, but as long as you can figure out why your car is shaking, you can head to a mechanic and inform them of the issue at hand.
A car is a highly complex machine with lots of moving parts and plenty of systems that all have to work together for the car to run efficiently. It’s no surprise, then, when something starts shaking or vibrating with so many parts to come loose or cause a noise.
Luckily, there are a few common culprits for shaking and vibrating, and while it is not always pleasant to think about repairing your car
, doing so will potentially save you lots of money down the road and keep your car in top shape. RECOMMENDEDNo spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
Figuring out why your car is vibrating or shaking
Gather information on the noise. Before you start guessing at the severity of the problem, try to determine where the noise is coming from and when it starts.
Do you notice it only when you start and accelerate the car? Does it happen when travelling at higher rates of speeds or increase in intensity depending on speed? Do you only notice it when turning or braking?
These are important questions to ask yourself so that you can get a better sense for what the cause of the issue is, which means you’ll be able to narrow down the probable solutions as well.
Check your tires. Your tires could be one simple reason why your car is vibrating.
Check the air pressure
in them, as serious imbalances in tire pressure might be noticeable while you are driving in the vehicle. Also, do a general inspection of the tires to determine if there are any noticeable flaws. It could be that your tires have a minor issue, but even if it's minor, make sure to get the problem fixed
–minor tire issues could escalate on the highway, leading to flat tires, blowouts, and even accidents. Another likely issue associated with your tires could be that they simply need a tire rotation. Because tires wear at different rates, a tire rotation helps ensure that the tires all acquire wear evenly, thereby preventing any shaking.
Check around the wheels. The wheels can be the source of the noise, with two potential problems being the axles and the brake rotors.
If you have recently had any damage to your car, then you may have a bent axle, which results in uneven tire contact and shaking.
The brake rotors could also be the source of the vibration. If they are somehow warped, then it can cause noise when interacting with the other brake parts.
Check under the hood. It is entirely possible that you have an issue with one of your spark plugs or other engine components.
This is especially possible if the car’s vibrating or shaking is tied to acceleration. If the car engages in vibration while you are accelerating or drives fine and then shakes at random intervals while driving, you could have a problem with your spark plugs.
It is possible that you have an issue with some other engine component, such as the fuel or air filters, which are vital to providing clean fuel and air to the car’s engine. When these get dirty or clogged, then the engine is unable to function at an optimal level, translating into shaking or vibration.
Key Takeaway: The source of the noise could be an issue with your tires, wheels, or even engine components. Take the time to check your car and to notice what makes the problem start so you can find the right solution.
Vibrations and shaking can range from mild annoyance to outright frustration depending on how severe they become and how much they disturb your ride. The good news is that if you are proactive and take your car to the mechanic
(or even do the work yourself), the shaking never has to impact your wallet
. A sudden breakdown or accident, on the other hand, can bleed your pockets dry. Getting expensive car insurance to prevent that might turn out the same, only in slow motion.
If you want to save money on car insurance instead, the Jerry
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FAQs
Why does my car shake when accelerating?
There's a number of reasons why your car might shake when accelerating. Your issues may be coming from damaged motor mounts, damaged axle CV joints, loose lug nuts on your wheels, a bent driveshaft, worn spark plugs, and more. If you find that your car shakes when accelerating, take it to a mechanic to help narrow down the problem.
Why is my car shaking when I start it?
Like car shaking while accelerating, car shaking when starting can be caused by a wide range of problems. The crankshift damper is supposed to present shaking, so if the damper is faulty, the problem will be especially noticeable. Other causes of car-shakes when starting include warped brake rotors, bent or dented axels, and more.
If your car shakes when starting, but the problem disappears after a little while, this could be due to cold temperatures. If the cold is the source of your problems, you most likely don't need to take your car to a mechanic.
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