Car Vibrating

What Would Cause My Car to Start Vibrating?

What would cause my car to start vibrating? Is it dangerous? Or, can I just ignore it?

It is only natural to expect a smooth ride when you are driving your car. However, if your vehicle starts to vibrate when you are enjoying your drive, it may ruin all the fun. Also, it can get you really worried.

On the other hand, slight vibrations are okay since it is a sign of healthy functioning of the transmission gears and crankshaft. Nonetheless, sometimes the gentle vibrations can feel like the vehicle is shaking. That is when you know you have to inspect what’s going on with your car.

Car vibration is a common issue despite the age of your car. However, you can quickly fix most of the problems with professional help. So, read on to find answers to important questions such as what would cause my car to start vibrating.

What Would Cause My Car to Start Vibrating?

If you have been asking yourself, what would cause my car to start vibrating? Here are some of the major causes concerning car vibrations.

Bad Tires

If your tires are bald and worn out, they will vibrate no matter how good your vehicle condition is. That is one of the most common reasons for car vibrations. Tires are in contact with the road all the time; hence, they have a relatively shorter lifespan than other parts.

Depending on the type of damage, you may have to find solutions for it. You can replace, rotate, or top off the tires. Some of the major tire issues that can cause vibrations are listed below.

  • The tread is separate from the tires
  • Tire wearing out is uneven
  • Low pressure in the tire
  • The tires are too old
  • The shape is not proper or out of round

Tire Profile

Tire alignment is also one of the major causes of car vibration issues. Low profile resistance, as known as low rolling resistance, is mostly found in modern hybrid vehicles. 

Low-profile tires reduce resistance and drag, which can boost fuel economy. However, a low rolling resistance tire means they are hard to use for most drivers. They are not pleasant to drive because they do not bounce off the road’s imperfections.

Furthermore, they have less material, and therefore they are less stable on speed breakers, pits, and bumpy roads. Hence, if your car has low rolling resistance tires, it can be the reason behind all the vibrations.

Power Steering Problems

Power steering problems can cause all the vibration problems if you experience them only when you are turning. If that is so, you can easily narrow down the list of problems. 

You need to examine the steering system’s hoses and see if there are any leaks. Also, you need to inspect the reservoir to check if the steering fluid in the system needs refilling.

You can confirm this by checking it when you have parked your car. All you have to do is use the power steering system, and if you feel the same vibrations when steering, the steering system is the problem.

Damaged Wheels

Any damage to the wheels can cause a high level of vibration in your car. Damaged or bent wheels are the most common issue when it comes to bad car vibrations. Therefore, you need to first look at the wheels when you notice anything wrong with the vibrations.

If this is the problem, it is vital to stay away from bumpy roads and potholes since it can be hazardous. Further, even a small bump can throw your wheels out of the road and cause accidents.

You need to take it to the mechanic for a repair immediately. Wheel technicians will use precision tools to fix the wheels. If it is beyond fixing, you need to change the wheels to a new one immediately.

Unbalanced Wheels

Although tires can be the problem most of the time, sometimes it is the wheels. An unbalanced wheel is one of the most overlooked reasons behind car vibrations.

Wheel weights ensure the wheels stay balanced. Wheel weights are small metal squares stuck along the edges of the vehicle wheels. People often overlook this factor because it is very difficult and fairly expensive to diagnose this problem. 

You can check for it yourself by taking a look at the steering wheels. Before that, you need to park your car and turn the steering wheel really hard to one side. When the wheels turn outward, you need to check for any debris or mud stuck to the wheels and clear it off.

Axle Problems

Although this is one of the rarest possibilities, it is better not to rule it out. There are three things to check if you doubt the problem is with the axle. They are listed below.

  • A bent axle
  • Worn-our CV joints
  • Damaged driveshaft

Engine Trouble

Similar to the axle, engine problems that cause vibrations are rare as well. Nonetheless, you can check for possibilities of engine trouble. There are several reasons why an engine would cause vibrations, and they are listed below.

  • Faulty timing belt
  • Loose hoses
  • Worn out spark plugs 
  • Problems with fuel and air filters

Where to Get More Help?

You can always take your car to your local trusted mechanic. If you are unable to figure out the issues, they can help you with that as well.

So, if you feel that the vibrations are not normal and you cannot figure out why, you can get help from experts in the field. 

They can not only help you figure out the problem, but they can also fix it for a reasonable price. Additionally, they can provide you with valuable advice on how to move ahead with the problems.

Final Words

Most of the time, vibrations are harmless, and you can safely ignore them. However, if you notice that the intensity of the vibrations is increasing, there may be some serious issues.

If you are still wondering what would cause my car to start vibrating, it is advisable to reach the nearest workshop. Moreover, it is always better to listen to an expert’s opinion than to make assumptions.

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