There are a few different things that could be causing your car to shake when you drive, and in order to figure out which one it might be, you’ll need to take a look at the symptoms and see if any of them match up. Once you know what’s causing the shaking, you can start to resolve the issue!
Causes of Car Shaking
There are a few common causes of car shaking, and each one can be addressed with a simple fix. Here are the top five:
1. Improperly Aligned Wheels and Tires
If your car is shaking because the wheels are wobbling and not staying in line with the tires, it’s time to get them aligned. This can be done by a qualified mechanic or by following the instructions included with your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
2. Bent Wheel Nuts or Bolts
If you notice that one or more of your wheel nuts or bolts have become bent – either from being over-tightened, from being hit by a rock, or from being jostled around during transport – it’s time to take action. A trip to an auto mechanic will cost you around $30, but it could save you hundreds of dollars in future repairs.
3. Defective Struts or Springs
If your car has been making weird noises and shudders whenever you take a step on the accelerator, it’s probably due to a defective strut or spring. Struts and springs are relatively cheap to replace – typically costing around $100 – so it’s worth taking care
Solutions to Stop Car Shaking
There are a few things you can do to stop your car from shaking when you drive.
The first thing to do is check the oil level and make sure it’s at the correct level. Over time, oil can leak out of your engine and cause your car to shake. Make sure to check your oil every 3,000 miles or so to ensure that it’s kept at the right level.
Another solution is to adjust your wheel alignment. If your wheel alignment is off, it will cause your car to shake. Make sure to have your alignment checked every 6 months or so by a professional.
And finally, make sure you’re driving in the correct gear. If you’re in overdrive, for example, your car will shake more because the gears are not able to rotate as fast as they should. Try to drive in the lowest gear possible so that the gears can rotate more easily.
Conclusion
I hope that this article on the why my car is shaking when I drive has been helpful. Sometimes, we can’t explain the sudden movements or vibrations our cars make, but fortunately, there are a few things that you can do to try and find an answer. Perhaps one of the most common causes of car vibration is wind noise — if your car is making excessive noise in turbulent weather conditions, it’s likely that wind is playing a role. Additionally, suspension problems and faulty steering mechanisms can also cause vibrations in vehicles. If you think that your car might be experiencing any of these issues, take some time to have it checked out by a mechanic so that they can identify and correct the issue as quickly as possible. Thanks for reading!