Round Rock Nissan can help you identify why your car shakes when idling.
One of the most uneasy feelings is when you notice your car vibrate when driving. Is it a tire puncture, did that giant pothole break my car suspension, or do I have a busted driveshaft? There are a few components that could be the cause of your vehicle shaking, and the severity of the potential damage can fluctuate greatly. The most likely cause of the shaking usually happens in the vicinity of your car’s tires and rims. They plant the car to the road, and if anything is out of alignment, will notice. On a serious note, it may be something like a broken caliper or a broken transmission. These more major failures may leave you with a broken can on the side of the road.
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If you got different tires recently, your vehicle vibrating could be from the wheels and tires that were not balanced correctly. Tire balancing ensures the tire and wheel weight is. So, if you feel the tire shuddering while you are driving, it may be a tire that isn’t balanced. If you have confirmed that the new tires and wheels are balanced, but your car is still vibrating, make sure the tire pressure is correct, and be sure to check if the lugnuts are fully tightened and make sure the tire pressure is correct. If your tires are causing the shake, you should have them looked at immediately.
If the car vibrates when you brake, that is a pretty strong signal that you need to have your brakes looked at. The most likely reason for your steering wheel shudder is warped rotors. When a driver pushes down on the brake pedal, pieces of metal called brake pads squeeze the brake rotors to create friction which will then bring your car to a stop. A smooth rotor surface provides smooth braking. A warped rotor surface will vibrate when braking, kind of like how a brick road feels rougher than a highway. Other causes of the vibrating include frozen brake calipers or damaged suspension components. If you feel your steering wheel start to wobble, bring it to us, and we’ll check it out.
If your vehicle is vibrating before you ever start driving, then you probably have broken parts. The most obvious reasons for a vehicle shaking at idle are:
A Broken Driveshaft – If not perfectly balanced or damaged, it may be the source of the vibrations
Failed CV joints – Working in conjunction with the drive shaft, cv joints get the power from the engine to the wheels and, if damaged, can be the source of your car shaking.
Engine Mounts That Are Broken – As the name indicates, these components help affix the engine to the vehicle. If they are broken or damaged, it can allow your engine to vibrate.
If you have noticed a new vibration in your car, then bring it in, and we’ll inspect it and diagnose the problem. Our trained technicians will find the reason for the vibration and provide you with options to get you back on the road quickly.
Round Rock Nissan is an ideal place to get Nissan service in the Austin area. We happily service all vehicle makes and models. One of our factory-trained technicians will inspect your car or truck to determine if there are any needed repairs and will suggest the best resolution for you and your vehicle. Schedule your Rogue service online or in person today.
