Car Shakes When Braking? Here’s What You Need To Know

Carlos Kirby
· 4 min read
While it's fun to shake, rattle, and roll while listening to your favorite song, it can be a bit unnerving when your car shakes when braking. If you're a
mechanic
, you probably already have a good idea of what the problem is, and know exactly what type of
car maintenance
you need to do. For the rest of us, it's a mystery.
The good news is that a car that shakes is often an easy fix. The bad news is that it isn't something you can ignore. Here are some signs to be on the lookout for, as well as ways to prevent your car from shaking. 
Here’s what you need to know if your car shakes when you brake.

Car shakes when braking: Not a good sign

Your car may not shake all the time, which can be a little confusing. The times when it may do it most are when you're on the highway and find yourself hitting the brakes unexpectedly, or going downhill when gravity is working against you.
According to
Toyota
, you may not feel the whole car shaking. It may just be the steering wheel, or even the brake pedal itself. This may also be accompanied by a high-pitched squealing noise, which can be more alarming than the shaking in some cases.
A common cause of a car shaking when breaking is due to the wheel rotors being out of balance or broken. These are the discs that are clamped by the brakes in order to slow down your tires. To avoid car shaking when braking at high speeds, its important to know how to prevent it. 
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How to prevent car shakes when braking

Car maintenance isn't something that can be overlooked, especially if you want to avoid pricey repairs. So to avoid this, there are a few things you can do to keep your car running longer, and jitterbug-free.
The first, according to
Family Handyman
, is making sure the tires don't get too worn out. While buying new tires can get pricey, rotating them with every oil change keeps the tread from wearing down as fast. Another potential issue is an unbalanced tire, which can be very dangerous, and needs to be corrected as soon as possible.
The other potential problem is the brakes. As you drive around town and hit the freeway, your brakes can become worn down over time. There are other factors, such as brake calipers that stick, pads that need to be replaced, and rotors that are out of balance.
By taking your car in for regular maintenance, your mechanic can keep an eye on your brakes, and let you know when things are beginning to look a little too smooth and shiny. How do you know it's time to head to your mechanic, however?

When should I take my car in for maintenance?

Knowing when to take your car in may not always be as straightforward as it seems. Sometimes your car can make a sound that you never hear again. Then, as it ages, it naturally begins to develop some quirks that are typical of an older model car. 
So when do you know when to call your mechanic, and when you can safely ignore it?
The answer is that you should never ignore strange behavior from your car. It could turn out that it isn't that big of a deal, and you lost thirty minutes of your life waiting for the mechanic to deliver the news. 
In most cases, however, there is more to the situation. If your car shakes when braking, it’s worth taking the extra time to fix it before things get worse and more pricey.
Repairs are often very expensive, especially if you've been in a wreck, and need to have your car fixed. The right insurance policy can make the process easier, but finding that policy can be tricky.
Jerry
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