Car shaking while driving
Why Is My Car Shaking When I Drive?
Where and when the shaking happens points to the cause. Here's how to read the clues, and when it's time to stop driving and get it checked.
A car shaking while driving is one of those problems that's easy to put off, because the car still gets you there. But a shake or vibration is your car telling you something is worn, loose, unbalanced or misfiring, and some causes get worse, or unsafe, the longer you ignore them.
The good news is that the pattern of the shake narrows things down quickly. This guide walks through the common causes by when and where you feel it, what's safe to keep driving with, and what we do to find the cause at our Wiri workshop.
Quick answer
Where and when the shaking happens points to the cause. Shaking through the steering wheel at highway speed is often wheel balance or a damaged tyre. Shaking only when braking usually means brake discs. A rough shake at idle or under acceleration often points to the engine, such as a misfire or worn engine mounts. A flashing check-engine light, a burning smell or severe shaking means stop driving and get it checked.
Start here
When does your car shake, and where do you feel it?
| When it shakes | Where you feel it | Common causes |
|---|---|---|
| At steady speed (often around highway speeds) | Steering wheel (front) or seat and floor (rear) | Wheel out of balance, damaged or unevenly worn tyre, bent wheel, worn suspension parts |
| Only when braking | Steering wheel or brake pedal | Warped or uneven brake discs, sticking calliper, worn pads |
| At idle or when stopped | Whole car | Engine misfire (spark plugs, coils, injectors), worn engine mounts, vacuum leak |
| When accelerating | Floor and seat | Misfire, worn driveshaft or CV joints, worn engine or gearbox mounts |
| Rhythmic, getting faster with speed | Car or steering | Flat-spotted or damaged tyre, loose wheel nuts, wheel bearing |
| During gear changes | Whole car | Transmission or clutch concerns |
| With a warning light | Whole car | Engine misfire (flashing light is serious), sensor or electrical fault |
At speed
Shaking at speed: tyres and wheels
If the steering wheel shakes at a steady speed and the car is otherwise fine, tyres and wheels are the first suspects. Wheel balance weights can fall off, tyres wear unevenly or develop bulges after hitting a pothole or kerb, and a bent wheel can cause a vibration at certain speeds. A shake felt mainly in the seat rather than the wheel often points to the rear.
The fix is usually a wheel balance and a tyre inspection. A poor alignment doesn't usually cause the shake directly, but it wears tyres unevenly, which can. Our wheel alignment starts from $80 +GST, and wheel balancing is included with every new tyre fitment. Our guide to when to replace car tyres explains the warning signs.
When braking
Shaking when braking: the brake discs
If the shake only appears when you press the brake pedal, the brake discs (rotors) are the usual cause. Discs can wear unevenly or develop thickness variation, and a sticking calliper can overheat one. You'll often feel it as a pulsing pedal or a shudder through the steering wheel.
Brakes are a safety system, so don't leave this one. See the 8 brake warning signs, and our brakes & safety work for inspection and repair.
At idle or under load
Shaking at idle or when accelerating: the engine
A rough idle, a car that shudders at traffic lights or one that shakes when you accelerate often points to the engine. The usual culprit is a misfire, where one cylinder isn't firing properly because of a worn spark plug, a failing ignition coil, a dirty or faulty injector or a vacuum leak. Worn engine mounts let normal vibration reach the cabin.
Misfires usually come with a loss of power, rough running or a check-engine light. If that light is flashing, it's a severe misfire that can damage the catalytic converter, so stop driving and get it checked. A diagnostic scan reads the stored fault codes and shows which cylinder or system is involved.
Driveline
Shaking when accelerating or turning: the driveline
Worn CV joints often click on tight turns and can vibrate under acceleration. A worn driveshaft, universal joint or differential can cause vibration or a clunk as you take off, particularly on rear- and four-wheel-drive vehicles. Utes that tow or carry loads put this part of the car under extra stress, which is one reason differential and drivetrain oil shouldn't be forgotten.
Gear changes
Shaking when changing gears: transmission or clutch
A shudder or judder as the gearbox changes gear, or a vibration at a particular speed, can point to a transmission or clutch problem. It's worth getting checked early, because these repairs are among the most expensive if left. See our guide to the warning signs of transmission trouble.
Suspension and steering
Worn suspension and steering parts
Worn bushes, ball joints, tie rod ends or shock absorbers can add shake, clunks and loose steering, and they're a common reason for a WOF fail. They also make tyre wear worse, which feeds back into vibration.
Is it safe?
Is it safe to keep driving?
Stop driving and call us if you notice:
- A flashing check-engine light
- Severe or suddenly worsening shaking
- Shaking with a brake warning light, a soft pedal or loose steering
- A burning smell or smoke
- Shaking after hitting a kerb or pothole, or after a tyre problem
- Loud grinding or knocking
If the shake is mild and steady, book soon and avoid highway speeds in the meantime. Either way, don't ignore it.
How we find the cause
How we find the cause at our Wiri workshop
- Ask the right questions: when it shakes, at what speed, and what changed
- Road test to feel it for ourselves
- Check tyres, wheels and wheel nuts for damage, wear and balance
- Scan for fault codes with a dealer-grade tool that reads all modules, $60 +GST
- Inspect brakes, suspension and driveline on the hoist
- Quote before we fix anything, and explain what we found in plain English
Common questions
Straight answers,
no fine print.
Why does my steering wheel shake at 100 km/h?
The most common cause is a wheel that is out of balance, or a damaged or unevenly worn tyre. A bent wheel or worn suspension parts can also cause it. A wheel balance and tyre inspection is usually the first step.
Why does my car shake when idling?
Usually an engine misfire from a worn spark plug, failing ignition coil or faulty injector, or worn engine mounts, or a vacuum leak. A diagnostic scan shows whether fault codes point to a misfire.
Why does my car shake when I brake?
Most often warped or unevenly worn brake discs, or a sticking calliper. Because brakes are safety-critical, get it inspected promptly.
Can bad wheel alignment cause shaking?
Alignment problems usually cause pulling, an off-centre steering wheel and uneven tyre wear rather than a direct shake. But uneven tyre wear can then cause vibration, so alignment and balance are often checked together.
Is it safe to drive a car that is shaking?
Not always. A flashing check-engine light, severe or worsening shaking, shaking with brake or steering concerns, or a burning smell means stop driving and get it checked. A mild, steady shake should still be checked soon.
How much does it cost to fix a shaking car?
It depends entirely on the cause. A diagnostic scan costs $60 +GST and a wheel alignment starts from $80 +GST. We find the cause first and quote before doing any repair.
Can low tyre pressure cause shaking?
It can contribute to vibration and poor handling. Checking and correcting tyre pressures is a quick first step before looking for other causes.
Get it checked
Find out what's shaking.
Don't guess at it. Call or text 022 095 0555 or book a diagnostic scan with your number plate. We're at Unit 2, 69 Wiri Station Road, Wiri, Auckland 2104.
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