Are you tired of your vehicle shaking while driving or when idle? Well, this can be a tense situation, especially when you are not certain about what is causing it.
Even though a slight vibration seems harmless, it can be an early indication of big trouble waiting to happen. Avoiding this may lead to costly repairs or unsafe driving conditions later on.
Therefore, in this enlightening article, we present some potential reasons to address your query, “Why is my car shaking?”. Ensuring that you can deal with this situation and get back to enjoying your smooth and safe drive without any nuisance.
Why is my Car Shaking?
Experiencing the vibration while holding the steering wheel or at the brake pedal is one of the common problems most drivers come across.
However, this can turn into an annoyance when this issue has drastically increased, and without realizing it, your vehicle starts shaking like a mobile phone.
Thus, if your car shakes under acceleration, while driving, at high speed, or when it is standing still, it’s high time to figure out the root cause of this disturbance.
Moving further, thoroughly read the next section of this blog post to examine the possible contributing factors for the situation you may be constantly struggling with.
Top 5 Potential Reasons Why Your Car is Shaking
Car shaking can be caused because of several issues, such as potential defects in the engine, brake pedal, axles, steering wheel, or even in the tires of the car, which eventually affect your vehicle’s overall performance.
Timely determining the actual reason on time is a must to save yourself from expensive repairs and unexpected trouble while your off-road trips.
Let’s explore these causes in depth individually.
1. Engine (Spark Plugs or Air Filter)
Using the same vehicle without proper maintenance for the years may lead to several problems with the engine’s parts. This may include worn-out spark plugs or dirty or clogged fuel injectors.
Generally, spark plugs last for about 80,000 to 10,000 miles, depending on the construction and model of the vehicle.
Moreover, start your inspection with the spark plug and its connection, and if the wires seem good and connected, take a look at the air filter.
Because a dirty filter can prevent the engine from consuming the oxygen and fuel, which is required for proper functioning, and can cause your car to sputter while driving or even when standing still.
2. Brake Pedal (Rotors or Pads)
If you are sensing a vibration on your foot while pushing the brake pedal, the issue is probably related to the brake mechanism, which leads to your car shaking when accelerating.
The front disc of the brakes consists of two different parts, named rotors and pads. Rotors are a rounded metal disc that are directly connected to the vehicle’s wheel. Over time, it got wrapped with the heavy wear and tear that can make your car shaking while accelerating.
Conversely, pads are some sort of thick layer situated behind the rotors and pressed against them to slow down the automobile, and if they get too worn, they may induce vibration too.
3. Axles
An axle is a central shaft situated under the vehicle to assist and allow the tires to rotate on it. Most models have two axles, one connects the front wheels and the other one works for the rear wheels.
If these axles get dented or bent due to any kind of accident or further mishap, it can cause the car shaking when driving.
Along with that, check the driveshaft and CV (constant velocity) joints to figure out more possible reasons for rough driving. If these joints are worn, you need to fix them promptly, or else they can result in constant damage to the velocity joints.
4. Steering Wheel
While driving a car, if you are facing struggles with moving your wheel as it becomes wobbly, it might be the answer to your query, “Why is my car shaking?”.
This means one of the wheel’s parts is not functioning properly and making it difficult to spin, or it may be associated with tie rod ends, wheel bearings, or ball joints.
You need to consult the car’s mechanic for this and immediately get it repaired, as it can be unsafe for you to drive in a situation like this.
5. Tires
After considering the interior mechanism of the vehicle, if you are still facing the shaking problem, it might be because of the tires of your car.
To comprehend what exactly is wrong with the wheels, you need to closely determine what sort of vibration you have been experiencing.
For instance, if the car shakes when driving only, maybe the tires are wearing unevenly. And in some cases, you might need to change the wheels to get rid of this difficulty.
In essence, determine the aforementioned reasons with your entire attention; the issue of car shaking is not a small thing. This can be an early sign of something that might turn into a major crisis, while in your daily commute or during weekend escapes.
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Why Your Car Shakes When Accelerating?
The car shaking during acceleration is often a sign of a mechanical defect. Shabby engine mounts, damaged CV joints, or unbalanced tires can be common reasons why you might need to fix this issue.
Furthermore, bent axles or spark plugs can also make your ride bumpy and rough, especially when you increase the speed.
Therefore, regular servicing of your car and seeking the help of a mechanic as soon as you feel an unusual vibration may assist you in preventing costly repairs and provide you with a smooth and safe ride.
Why Your Car Shakes at High Speed?
An unbalanced tire, misaligned wheels, or worn-out suspension parts are mainly responsible for constant vibration in your car when you exceed its speed or drive off-road.
When your wheels are not aligned properly or your tires aren’t balanced, you may feel strange vibrations at the brake pedal and sometimes at the steering wheel.
To resolve this issue, look at your tires and review whether there is something wrong with them. For instance, your tires shouldn’t be worn or torn. Also, if your vehicle is running in one direction, you need to fix the alignment first.
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Why is Your Car Shaking When Stopped?
Does your vehicle shake every time you push the brake? If yes, your car’s motor is not functioning properly. Majorly, motorcars face this shaking issue because of the loose engine mounts.
Generally, mounts are situated between the motor and vehicle, as they empower your motor to work properly while dampening the production of vibration from it.
Consequently, when these mounts loosen up, you may feel your vehicle’s motor vibration directly.
Lastly, a bad timing belt, faulty fuel injectors, or worn-out spark plugs may also cause the vibration when you stop the car. Some might be repaired at the time of yearly or monthly servicing, while a few need to be changed.
Cost to Fix the Common Car Shaking Problems
After comprehending the potential reasons for car shaking, it’s time to know how much it costs to fix the common car shaking problems.
However, the price range entirely depends on the various factors, but still, you can expect the cost to be somewhere between $50 to $2000.
Thus, here, we have broken down the estimated cost of the common issue causing this issue in your automobile.
- Wheel and Tire Problem: Wheel balancing may cost you around $20-$80 per wheel, whereas its repairs will be somewhere between $50-$200+. And tire replacement will be priced at about $100-$200+ per tire.
- Fault in Suspension: Its repairs may vary based on different factors such as the model year and damage extent. But still, you may expect the value between $200 to $1000.
- Transmission and Engine Problem: Repairing the engine’s mounts or any other parts is a bit expensive. It will cost you somewhere between $500 to $2000.
- Brake Pedal Issues: Fixing the worn or damaged brake pedal won’t cost you much. The pricing will be around $100 to $500, depending on the damage.
In a nutshell, fixing the car shakes when driving issue can range from the simple to the complex and costly repairs. Thus, it is crucial to have your car inspected by a qualified mechanic to easily determine the cause and get it handled in a module manner.
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Summing Up!
In conclusion, nobody wants to get stuck on the roadside because of car breakdowns. And to avoid that, small signs like sensing vibration in your vehicle shouldn’t be ignored.
Thus, instantly taking action upon your concern, “why is my car shaking?” will safeguard you from future random expenses or possible hardships on the roadways.
Furthermore, remember, apart from this shaking issue, timely checks and servicing your vehicle will foster its mechanical lifespan and furnish better performance on the city roads or off-road trips.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I stop my car from shaking while driving?
Ans: To fix the shaking issue while driving, first, check your tires, and if everything seems sound, you need to inspect your engine mechanism to figure out what’s wrong.
2. Can low oil cause a car to shake?
Ans: Yes, low-level oil can be one of the most common reasons that you can experience vibration in your vehicle while driving.
3. Why does my car shake when I drive?
Ans: Vibration in the car while driving can arise due to several reasons, like, fault in your engine, worn tires, or an imbalanced steering wheel.
4. Why is my car shaking when I accelerate?
Ans: If you are sensing a vibration in your vehicle while pushing the accelerator, there might be a chance of a malfunction in your brake pads. Possibly, the rotors or pads got damaged.