Why is my Car Shaking?

Few things are more worrying than turning your car on, only to discover that it’s shaking! There are several different reasons that your car could be shaking, and keeping these in mind could help you find out more about this important topic. So, without further ado, we’ve outlined some of the different things you need to know about why your car might be shaking and what this could mean.

Top Reasons Your Car May Be Shaking

We recommend getting it repaired as soon as possible by a professional mechanic, especially if there are more worrying issues that could be impacting the safety of the vehicle. And, if you’re buying a second-hand vehicle, try a car check first to make sure that none of the main causes of the shaking were present with the car’s last MOT.

There are many different reasons your car could be shaking, and being aware of these could prove helpful when it comes to understanding your vehicle. In line with this, it’s first important to define the type of shaking your car is experiencing, as this will generally impact the cause.

Braking Complications

First, there’s shaking when you apply the brakes. This is one of the most common types of shaking, and it generally happens when the brake rotor warps or the calipers start to stick. This can reduce the efficacy of the brake, causing vibrations that make the car feel as if it’s shaking.

Using Low-Profile or Misaligned Tyres

Another cause is due to your tyres – specifically, low profile tyres that reduce drag. Using these tyres could make it more likely for your car to shake. Furthermore, if your tyres are misaligned, there’s a good chance you’ll notice slight shaking and noise in your vehicle (which becomes more prominent as the car speeds up).

Issues with the Engine

A more concerning reason for your car to be shaking is that there are engine problems. Engine problems can arise for numerous different reasons, but this is most often due to an incorrect balance in the amount of air and fuel being fed through the system. It could also be that there’s not quite enough spark for the engine to fire properly. In turn, this can cause a shuddering sensation that’s reminiscent of the car shaking.

Power Steering Problems

Your power steering system could also cause complications, especially if you notice the shakes when your vehicle is actively turning. Power steering helps limit the amount of force you need to apply to the steering wheel to help the car turn; however, if this system isn’t working properly, there’s a good chance your car may struggle to turn smoothly. The biggest cause for this is often that the power steering fluid isn’t high enough, but there can be some other common causes.

Final Thoughts

If your car is shaking, this could be an incredibly worrying sign. However, in many cases, we tend to assume that this must be a severe problem – but in reality, a shaking car isn’t necessarily a hugely difficult issue to resolve, provided it’s not so bad that you can still drive safely.
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