Why Does Your Car Vibrate When Driving?
Imagine being in this situation: you’re driving home after a hard day's work and you start feeling a vibration in the steering wheel, in your seat or in the pedals. Bad road conditions don’t seem to be the cause this time and the problem persists; it even gets worse over the following days.
What’s going on?
These vibrations are generally caused by poor wheel alignment, unbalanced tires, a bent wheel or damaged suspension components. They require an inspection by a mechanic to pinpoint the exact source of the problem. He or she might ask you questions like: do the vibrations get worse when driving faster? Is it more at low speeds? Where exactly do you feel the vibrations? Are they accompanied by any noise?
Tires and Wheels
The initial reflex is to look at the condition of the tires and wheels. Are the first properly inflated and the second securely bolted? With time and the many bumps you’ve driven over (or an inadequate installation), they might not be in their best shape. Also, uneven tread wear is an obvious sign of poor wheel alignment. It needs to be fixed quickly.
Suspension and Steering
Unstable or poorly tightened suspension or steering components often and quickly end up causing vibrations in the steering wheel. For example, worn ball joints or tie rod ends make it difficult to properly align the vehicle. An inspection will determine their condition and whether a replacement is necessary. If not, the vibrations are coming from elsewhere.
Engine and Transmission
If you feel vibrations even when your car is idling, the engine and the transmission are what you need to check. In many cases, a broken or loose engine mount is the culprit. The driveshaft is also worth a look. Otherwise, it can be as simple as a damaged radiator fan that is no longer in its usual position.
Let's finish by mentioning that the brake discs can also generate vibrations in the steering wheel or in the pedal if they are slightly warped. Again, to validate your suspicion and make sure that your ride is safe, an inspection is in order.
