Is It Safe To Drive When Your Car Is Shaking?
Feeling a vibration or shaking sensation while driving your car is an abnormal symptom that can be an indication of a problem with your vehicle.
And understanding whether it is safe to drive when your car is shaking is crucial. This will allow you to take the necessary steps to address the issue. Ultimately, you can help take better care of your vehicle. Moreover, this will ensure your safety on the road.
With that said, we are going to discuss if it is safe to drive when your car is shaking. Additionally, we will look at the possible causes of shaking while driving and provide tips for addressing the issue.
Is It Safe To Drive When Your Car Is Shaking? Let’s Find Out
Driving is unsafe if your car is shaking or vibrating abnormally. If the vibrations are strong and have spread throughout the entire car, it is best to pull over and consider the potential cause. After that, assess the severity of the situation before determining if it is safe to drive.
Generally, if the shaking or vibrating isn’t too severe and is localized to a particular part of the vehicle, such as the steering wheel, it is likely safe to continue driving for a while.
7 Common Reasons Why Your Car Is Shaking (+ Solutions)
The following reason may shake your car while driving. We have discussed them with solutions.
1. Insufficient fuel : If the gas tank is running low, the car may vibrate due to insufficient fuel delivery. The fix is to fill up the tank with enough fuel.
2. Brake rotors are warped : If your brake rotors are warped or damaged, they can cause a vibration when you press the brakes. Replace the warped brake rotors with new ones to fix the problem.
3. Damaged driveshaft : A damaged driveshaft can cause vibrations and shaking while driving. This could be due to a worn-out bearing, a broken joint, or a loose connection. The fix is to have the driveshaft inspected and repaired if necessary.
4. Damaged ball joints : Damaged ball joints can cause a vibration when driving. Ball joints need to be replaced with new ones to fix the problem.
5. Change spark plugs : Old and worn-out spark plugs can cause your car to vibrate and shake. Check the spark plugs and replace them if necessary.
6. Change wheel bearings : Bad wheel bearings can cause vibration while driving. The fix is to replace the worn-out bearings with new ones.
7. Change the tires : Worn-out tires can cause your car to vibrate and shake when you drive. In order to fix this, you need to get a new tire.
5 Dangerous Signs Of Shaking?
While it is not necessarily dangerous to drive if you feel vibrations and shaking in your car, it is wise to take note of the following signs. The following signs are dangerous if you experience them while driving.
1. Engine misfires
Your engine misfiring is a sign that the car is shaking. If you feel your car shaking when accelerating, it could be a sign of engine misfiring.
2. Vibrates while pressing the brake pedals
When you press the brake pedals, and it vibrates, this is another sign that something is wrong with your car.
3. Cars shake when you speed up
If your car shakes and vibrates when you speed up (usually from 55 to 75 miles/hour), it could be due to the tires being unbalanced, worn-out shock absorbers, or a worn-out suspension system.
4. No vibration when the transmission is in parked mode
If you feel no vibration when the transmission is in parked mode but start to experience vibrations when you drive, the motor or transmission mount may be causing the issue.
5. Feel vibration on the steering wheel
Vibration on the steering wheel may indicate something is wrong with your car. It can be due to brakes needing repair, worn-out shock absorbers, or other issues with your vehicle’s suspension system.
Watch the following video to have an in-depth idea of the above signs,
How to Prevent Shaking While Driving Your Car? – Precautions
Driving a shaking car can be dangerous. It can indicate that there is a problem with the vehicle. To ensure your safety on the road, get to the bottom of the issue before driving. Apply the following actions to reduce the vibration of your vehicle,
Check your tire pressure
One of the most common causes of shaking while driving is an imbalance of tire pressure. Always check your tire pressure and ensure they are filled to the same amount.
Get your brakes checked
If your car is shaking, it could be a sign that you need new brake pads or drums. You should have your brakes inspected regularly to prevent any problems.
Balance your wheels
Your tires may need to be balanced every now and then in order to keep your car from steering jerkily. If your car is shaking, it could be due to an imbalance in your wheels.
Replace worn-out parts
Worn-out parts can cause your car to shake and vibrate. Inspect all of the suspension components, such as shocks and struts, and replace any worn-out or damaged parts.
Change your engine oil
Making sure to change your engine oil regularly is essential for preventing your car from shaking. Dirty oil can cause friction, leading to vibration or shaking while driving.
FAQs
Read these frequently asked questions for further information on this matter.
Why Does Your Car Shake When You Accelerate It?
Most of the time, it happens due to a damaged or faulty engine mount. There could be other reasons, such as an unbalanced wheel, worn-out tires, loose suspension parts, or a faulty engine mount.
Why Does Your Car Shake When You Press The Brake?
The brake system may be the cause of your car shaking when you press the brake. This could indicate warped brake rotors, worn brake pads, or loose brake calipers. If the problem isn’t fixed, it can become dangerous when going from 0 to 60 mph.
Why Does Your Car Vibrate When It Is Idle?
If your car is vibrating when it is idle, this could mean there is a problem with your engine or transmission mounts. A broken or damaged engine mount can cause vibration. Thus, it is essential to inspect them and repair them if necessary.
Final Thoughts
It is not safe to drive when your car is shaking, as this could indicate a severe problem with your vehicle. Moreover, you should take note of any shaking or vibrating sensations while driving and address the issue as soon as possible.
Regularly scheduled maintenance and inspections can help you identify any issues with your car before they become serious problems. If you feel your car shaking or vibrating while driving, it is best to pull over to a safe location and call for help or a tow truck.
