WHY IS MY CAR OR STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING?
In short: there are a couple of different causes of steering wheel or car vibration. The first place to start is the tires.
When a vehicle's tires are out of balance, it can cause shaking and vibration. In lieu of technical issues, it can vary depending on the severity of the problem.
We've gone in depth about tire balancing elsewhere but in this case we'll just note the two types of tire imbalance.
Static imbalance is when a tire vibrates and wobbles in an up and down motion during rotation.
Dynamic imbalance is when a tire vibrates and shakes from side-to-side as it spins.
Combined, these can cause vehicles to shake significantly and cause discomfort while driving.
SYMPTOMS OF UNBALANCED TIRES
When it comes to possible tire issues, you can't go wrong with checking your vehicle's alignment and suspension. Note that America's Tire does not offer brake or suspension repair and only select America's Tire locations do not offer vehicle alignment service; ask your local store's manager for a referral for an auto repair shop for these services.
Old motor mounts can cause vibrations and rattling, too, but they don't typically shake your ride the same way an unbalanced tire can. A vehicle generally vibrates from an unbalanced tire at speeds greater than 45 mph.
Some common symptoms that your tires are unbalanced include:
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Vibration in the steering wheel, floorboard or seat that increases with speed
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Poor fuel economy
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Uneven and faster than usual treadwear
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Difficulty steering smoothly
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Premature wear of shocks, springs, bearings and other wheel assembly components
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Loud tire noise while driving
If you're driving off-road or on dirt roads, mud can also build up and cake the back of your rims, adding uneven weight distribution and creating a tire imbalance. Quick work with a high pressure hose usually does the trick to knock any hardened mud away to get your tires back to normal. The same goes for snow and ice under heavy winter conditions.
If your tires are constantly having issues in mud, snow or ice then it might be time to upgrade to a proper mud or snow tire. These specialized tires are designed with treads that evacuate mud or snow away from the tire, avoiding build up.
Even if it's a minor vibration you are experiencing, it's something that should be taken care of as soon as possible. Driving on unbalanced tires can cause uneven tire wear and poor fuel economy and even lead to eventual tire failure.
BENT RIM AND WHEEL SYMPTOMS
Another possible source of vehicle and steering wheel vibration is due to bent wheels and rims.
Unfortunately, our wheels aren't invincible and that stray curb, unexpected speed bump or massive pothole in the middle of the road can really put a damper in...well, in your wheel.
Symptoms of a bent rim or wheel are often very similar to an unbalanced tire. They can vary in intensity depending on the damage. They include:
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Vibration in the steering wheel or seats, depending on which wheel is affected
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Uneven tire tread wear
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Increased road noise (such as droning or thumping heard in your vehicle cabin)
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Decreased fuel efficiency
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Poor handling
As part of our numerous wheel and tire services, America's Tire does offer wheel and rim repair and refinishing. However, there are some limitations and in the event we cannot accommodate you, we will recommend that you take your wheels to a dedicated wheel repair shop. We are sometimes able to use a special tool to pull bent rims back into shape on steel construction wheels. Unfortunately, other materials like aluminum, which are typical in both OEM and aftermarket wheels, aren't sturdy enough for this service.
Tires and wheels are often the main culprits when it comes to vehicle vibration so it's worth it to check on them first. You can stop by one of our locations to check your wheels and tires; save time by booking an appointment.