Kearny Mesa Volkswagen can help you learn why your car shakes when idling.
As a driver, one of the worst feelings is when you can feel your vehicle shaking while driving. Is it a flat tire, did a pothole hurt my suspension, or do I have a busted driveshaft? There are a few parts that might be the reason the vehicle is shuddering, and the amount of the potential problems can fluctuate greatly. The most common cause of the shaking generally happens near your tires and rims. They connect the vehicle to the road, and if anything is broken, you’re going to notice. More seriously, it might be a broken transmission mount or a broken control arm. These more serious part failures might leave you stuck on the side of the road.
If you recently installed new tires, your vehicle shuddering could be caused by the wheels and tires not being balanced correctly. Balancing the tires makes sure the weight is evenly distributed for the most peaceful drive possible. If you feel the tire shaking when you are driving, it might be a tire that isn’t balanced. If you have confirmed that the tires are balanced, but your car is still shuddering, make sure the tires are inflated to the correct air pressure, and check to make sure the lugnuts are fully tightened and make sure the tire pressure is correct. If your tires are causing the vibration, you should have it looked at immediately.
If the vehicle vibrates when braking, that’s a pretty obvious signal that you might want to have your brakes checked out. The most likely cause of your steering wheel shudder is worn rotors. When you push down on the brake pedal, the brake pads compress against the brake rotors to create friction which will then bring your car to a stop. A smooth brake rotor surface provides smooth braking. A warped brake rotor surface will cause shudders when braking, sort of like how a brick road feels rougher than a highway. Other causes of the shaking include frozen brake calipers and damaged shocks. If you notice your steering wheel wobble, bring it to us, and we’ll check it out.
If your vehicle is shaking before you even start driving, then you probably have broken car parts. The most obvious reasons for your car shaking at idle are:
The Driveshaft has Broken – If not perfectly balanced or damaged, it might cause shudders
CV joints That Have Gone Bad – Working in conjunction with the driveshaft, cv joints get the engine power to the wheels and tires and, if broken, can be the source of the vehicle shaking in idle.
Engine Mounts That Have Failed – As the name suggests, these components help affix the engine to the vehicle. If they get broken or just damaged, it can allow the engine to engine move around under the hood.
If you’ve noticed a new vibration in your car, then bring it to us for an inspection. Our knowledgeable techs will diagnose the reason for the vibration and get you back on the road.
Kearny Mesa Volkswagen is one of the most trusted places to get vehicle service in the En area. We proudly service all makes and models of cars, trucks, and SUVs. One of our factory-trained experts will inspect your vehicle to determine if there are any necessary repairs and will suggest the best solution for you and your vehicle. Schedule your Jetta service online or in person today.