Have you ever wondered ‘what causes cars to shake’? Almost everyone who has owned a car for a long time will experience some kind of auto trouble, and the vibration is one of the most popular and frustrating. When cars shake, it usually starts slowly before getting worse.
You may first be unaware of it or believe you can ignore it, but doing so is dangerous since you won’t know what’s causing the issue or how much more harm is being done by ignoring it. If your car is experiencing unusual vibrations or shaking, or you want to avoid those issues altogether, you’re at the right place. Here, we will discuss the different reasons why your car is vibrating. Read on!
1. Brake Problems
If you experience vibration when you apply the brakes, the problem comes from the front brake mechanism because the front brakes of your automobile experience the most strain when the brakes are applied. Front disc brakes require periodic replacement of a few components, specifically the brake rotors and pads.
The round metal disc attached to the wheel is called the rotor. Due to severe wear and tear, it may eventually become twisted. The brake pads that press against the rotor slow down the car. For these pads to function correctly, they must have a specific thickness. Vibrating may be a symptom of excessively worn pads. The brake calipers aid in slowing down and stopping the car by pressing the pads on the rotor.
The due date of brake replacement varies for every vehicle. Although many brands and models can survive longer, they should be replaced an average of every 50,000 miles. See the owner’s manual for your car for a more precise replacement schedule. You should also ask your mechanic to visually inspect your rotors and pads each time you get an oil change. These technicians or mechanics can help you determine when replacement is required.
2. Engine and Transmission
Are you still wondering what causes cars to shake? It can be an engine and transmission issue. The engine and gearbox become the primary focus of problem-solving if the vibration occurs while driving and persists while the car is stopped with the engine running or if the car shakes and makes noise. A damaged radiator fan or a loose or damaged engine or transmission mount could be the cause.
Typically, a malfunctioning fan will be unbalanced and vibrate noticeably when rotating. The majority of cars, however, have electrically powered radiator fans that comes on when the coolant temperature rises above a particular point. The fan might be the reason if your vibration is frequent and only occurs while the engine is warmed up, although this is quite unlikely.
3. Bad Motor Mounts
Motor or engine mounts hold your car’s engine in place. If you’ve ever looked beneath your hood, you may have noticed that the engine appears stuck in place. Actually, motor mounts fasten the engine to the vehicle’s chassis. They can have different looks depending on the shape, size, and strength required for a particular vehicle.
Motor mounts are often placed between the engine and the car’s “frame” and are composed of rubber and metal. That is to say, the engine will always be fastened to structural elements. However, specific components will depend on the car’s design.
Rubber absorbs engine vibrations, while the metal in the motor mount offers the structural support required to keep everything in place. Naturally, both materials deteriorate with time, and motor mounts require regular replacement.
When the motor mounts are worn, the rubber stops absorbing shocks, and the metal stops acting as a solid brace between the engine and the chassis. This is most likely the cause of any shaking you may detect in the front end of your car, either suddenly or gradually.
4. Tire Problem
Tires significantly impact how smoothly your automobile handles and rides. A damaged tire is one cause of car shake, which will affect your entire ride. If your car is shaking, there may be several problems with your tires. First, it’s possible that your tires are not balanced correctly.
If so, your automobile may shake since they won’t run on the road together. If you ignore the shaking, it will worsen and may impair the alignment of your car and other tires. A loose tire may be the cause; ensure each tire’s lugs are securely fastened. If the tire is still loose even when the lugs are tight, it may indicate a problem with the wheel bearings, which you should address quickly.
Another scenario is that you may have hit a pothole or curb, which may have caused a bent rim or other issue with the tire itself. A separate tire tread may potentially cause your car to shake. In any event, if your tires are the problem, you should have them inspected and, if required, replaced before they result in more issues or an accident.
5. Axle Problems
Every car has two axles, one connecting the front wheels and the other connecting the rear wheels. Shaking may arise from bent or dented axles, which can happen in an accident or other road disaster. If the issue is with the axle, the car vibration will get worse as you accelerate. Examine the driveshaft and CV joints as well for any possible problems. If the CV joints are bad, dust and any dirt may enter and cause joint damage.
6. Loose Steering Components
If you’ve ever driven a new and an old car against one another, you may have noticed that the new car’s steering is considerably firmer and more responsive than the old one. Put differently, the newer automobile will react to steering wheel movements faster, and the car’s rotation should feel more accurate about your wheel rotation.
This example demonstrates how steering parts, like many other parts of your car, can deteriorate over time, often going unnoticed because it happens so gradually. Several tiny moving parts physically connect your steering wheel and the other four wheels on the ground, and once those parts begin to wear out, your wheels won’t perform as you have directed. While steering is still possible, shaking may result from too much action in that complex network.
7. Low Transmission Fluid
What causes cars to shake? Here’s another reason! Transmission issues can also cause car vibration. If your car’s transmission fluid level drops too much, it may begin to shake while you accelerate. This is quite simple to fix, but it must be treated immediately. If you keep driving with insufficient transmission fluid, a leak might cause irreversible harm to your car’s gearbox. The amount of the damage may necessitate expensive repairs, rebuilds, or even replacements. If the car shakes and makes a loud noise, it may indicate that the drive train or transmission is worn out.
8. Power Steering Problems
If your vehicle only shakes or shudders when you turn, it’s easy to figure out what’s wrong because the power steering system is most likely the cause. Examine the hoses of the power steering system for any obvious leaks, and check the reservoir to see whether the power steering fluid needs to be refilled. Even when the car is in park, you should experience the same vibrations when you turn the steering wheel if there is an issue with the power steering system.
9. Low Rolling Resistance Tires
As hybrid and electric vehicles get more popular, low-rolling resistance tires, also called low-profile tires, become more popular. These tires lower resistance and drag, which raises the EPA fuel efficiency rating—an important metric for these kinds of cars, especially when it comes to marketing.
But because they don’t absorb much of the roughness in the road, low rolling resistance tires are tougher than most drivers are used to and just aren’t fun to drive on. Although “low profile” is frequently used to describe them, it might be confusing because it can also refer to other performance tires. Either way, you’re looking at tires that are harder or have less material, which means they can’t absorb as much bumps, pits, and road texture. If your vehicle has high-performance or low-profile tires, that may cause your car to shake.
10. Suspension System Needs TLC
Understanding what causes cars to shake is quite important. If the steering wheel is the main source of the shaking, you should pay close attention to the suspension system. There is no reason to “wait and see” because it might become a major issue. The struts, ball joints, shock absorbers, tie rods, and bearings are some potential causes of the problem. This will need professional treatment, so don’t put it off being examined.
11. Flywheel/Torque Converter Fault
Shaking while idle is a sign of a flywheel or torque converter issue, which is usually less obvious while driving. A damaged or loose pressure plate and flywheel can quickly lead to an imbalance. Cars with manual gearboxes are equipped with dual-mass flywheels, which are intended to help balance power applications. The flywheel frequently fails because it is subjected to extreme stress. They are attached to the crankshaft and generate the most visible shaking while the engine is idle and are attached.
The Solutions to Car Shaking Problems
1. Verify that your tires have no uneven wear and are correctly calibrated. Repair your damaged wheels or adjust them to fix any imbalance or misalignment problems.
2. Look for any loose, worn-out, or damaged suspension parts that could be the source of your car’s vibrations. Also, check the steering to find any issues that might be causing the vibrations.
3. A specialist or mechanic should perform a thorough engine check to find any issues with ignition, spark plug failures, or problems that might be causing vibrations to travel to your steering wheel.
4. Inspect other auto components, such as the transmission, brakes, and mechanical systems, to look for issues that can compromise the vehicle’s stability.
Conclusion
What causes cars to shake? Now you know! From uneven tires to loose belts, worn suspension to misaligned wheels, identifying the culprit is key. Regular maintenance, precise repairs, and a smooth ride await. Stay informed, drive safe, and keep your vehicle purring like new!
