Why Is My Car Shaking?

If your car is shaking, it's time for an expert's diagnosis. It can be hard to pinpoint the cause of your vehicle's shaking, but there are some signs you can look for to determine the source of the shaking. Sometimes the shaking and vibrations are accompanied by other signs of a problem, such as strange sounds. You may be able to get some idea of where the shaking is coming from based on how your car acts, but you should also bring the vehicle to our service center to have it checked out.

Engine

The engine of your car can develop problems that create shaking or vibrating. The radiator, engine's air filter, and spark plugs are a few. The air filter's role is to filter out impurities such as dirt and dust particles to keep them from getting into the engine. When they do, they can negatively impact the engine's performance, leading to shaking, vibrating, and other issues. The spark plugs, which are part of the fuel system, have a limited lifespan of about 80,000 miles to 100,000 miles. Spark plugs in that mileage range should be evaluated for problems. If the engine seems to be running hot in addition to shaking, the radiator may need replacement.

Tires

The tires need to be kept at a specific pressure level and tread depth to function correctly. If they lose too much pressure or are inflated to different levels, the car may shake. Treads that don't have enough grip left may contribute to the car's shaking as well. A mechanic can look at the car's tires to see if they need to be rotated, replaced, or if the vehicle needs an alignment. Generally, the tires should be rotated at least twice each year or every 6,000 miles.

Wheels

Your car's wheels can be the underlying cause behind its shaking, too. In poor condition, wheels may lead to the vehicle shaking or vibrating most when you step on the accelerator. You may also find that the steering wheel shakes as you drive the car. A couple of different parts on the wheels, including the lug nuts, might be causing the issue as well. The lug nuts can loosen with driving, which leads to vibrations. Tie end rods, ball bearings, and other wheels' components can wear out and lead to shaking.

Brakes

If the car shakes most noticeably when you brake, the front or rear brakes may be the root cause. The brakes should last around 50,000 miles. When they wear out, you may notice shaking along with a metallic grating or grinding sound. The noise and vibration are attributed to the brake pads wearing out, allowing contact between the brake rotors.

Axles

Axles may cause shaking if they're damaged in an accident or from driving over curbs and potholes. They can also become contaminated with dirt.

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