Picture this: you are cruising nicely, all appears fine, and then, without warning, your car begins vibrating or shaking. The harder you accelerate, the more you notice it. Maybe it occurs only at highway speed, or maybe you detect it when you are decelerating or accelerating. Whatever the case, a shaking car is attempting to communicate to you that something is amiss.

Even modern automobiles, with all their engineering and precision, are not the exception. This shaking may be caused by a number of factors, and knowing the reasons can help you handle the problem before a small inconvenience escalates into a larger one.

Tires

Tires are likely the first component to fail when a car starts shaking at certain speeds. A slight imbalance or uneven wear may cause vibrations that increase with speed.

Here’s what to consider:

• Wheel balance: Small weights that ensure a steady balance on your wheels may drop over time. A small imbalance can make the vehicle shake visibly at highway speeds.
• Tire wear: Vibration may be caused by the uneven tread wear, cupping, or flat spots due to prolonged parking.
• Tire pressure: A shaky ride can also be caused by low or uneven pressure in tires.

When your car vibrates mostly at high speeds, it is likely that something is wrong with one of your tires. This is easy to diagnose during an Auto Service Virginia Beach VA. The problem is normally solved by rotating, balancing, or changing tires.

Issues of alignment and suspension

The suspension and alignment of your vehicle ensure that the wheels move freely and contact the road properly. When it is out of alignment, you might experience vibrations, pulling to one side, or uneven steering feedback.

Common causes include:

• Misaligned wheels: Hitting potholes, curbs, or road debris may cause a slight change in the wheel alignment. The slightest misalignment will lead to vibrations at some frequencies.
• Worn suspension components: Ball joints, bushings, shocks, and struts wear with time. They deteriorate, which means they can no longer absorb road imperfections and thus transmit more vibration to the cabin.
• Loose components: The presence of any loose component in the steering system or the suspension can cause shaking or wobbling.

Issues with the suspension also appear in the form of abnormal tire wear or abnormal sounds during bumps. When unchecked, they may influence handling and safety.

Brake system problems

Shaking, which mainly takes place when you press the brakes, is normally related to the braking system.

Warped brake rotors are the most prevalent cause. When the rotors are uneven, the brake pads engage unevenly. This leads to a pulsating feel through the brake pedal, and occasionally, the steering wheel.

Other causes related to brakes include:

• Sticking calipers that do not release evenly.
• Worn brake pads that cause vibration.
• Loose or damaged braking system hardware.

Vibrations associated with brakes are mostly noticeable at medium speeds and are intense during deceleration. These problems should be solved as soon as possible, as they directly influence stopping power.

Engine and drivetrain issues

The shaking can be, in some cases, not the wheels at all, but under the hood or the drive train:

• Engine mounts: These are rubber and metallic parts that hold the engine in position and absorb vibration. Worn mounts may enable excessive movement of the engine, causing it to shake, especially on acceleration.
• Driveshaft or CV joint problems: In a rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive car, an unbalanced driveshaft or worn CV joint may also create vibrations in the vehicle at a certain speed.
• Transmission or differential problems: Problems in these components can also generate unusual vibrations.

When you feel your car shaking when you are accelerating or when there is a load, the problem may be in the drive train, not in the tires or brakes.

Seasonal and environmental effects

Weirdly enough, there are instances when the shaking is not mechanical, but environmental.

• Temperature changes: Wheels respond differently to hot or cold weather. The stretching or extension of rubber can cause a small vibration.
• Road conditions: Shaking may become more intense in certain road conditions, such as uneven pavements and bridge joints.
• Wheel contamination: Think of mud, ice, or even lost wheel weights. These may cause a temporary shift in balance.

These are not necessarily causes of a repair, but they should be taken into consideration when intermittent shaking is being diagnosed. If you are unsure whether the problem is mechanical or environmental, a routine check at the London Bridge Auto and Transmission Repair Shop Virginia Beach can help.

The takeaway

When your car shakes at a specific speed, it is telling you that something is not right. Pay attention to the following:

• When does the shaking happen? When braking, accelerating, or cruising?
• Does it occur during specific speeds?
• Are there abnormal sounds or wear on tires?

After determining patterns, it is only safe to use a professional examination.