
Bob Howard Toyota can help you identify why is your car shaking in idle.
One of the worst feelings is when you feel your car shuddering while you are driving. Is it a nail in my tire, did that giant pothole break my suspension, or did I break the driveshaft? There are many parts that might be the reason the car is shaking, and the potential problems can fluctuate greatly. The most common cause of the shaking most often happens near your tires and rims. The tires and wheels connect your vehicle to the road, and if anything is a bit wonky, will notice. It may be something like a broken transmission or a broken control arm. These more serious part failures could leave you with a broken can on the side of the road.
If you got different wheels and tires recently, the vehicle vibrating could be from the wheels and tires that were not balanced correctly. Tire balancing is making sure the tire and wheel weight is. So, if you feel the tire shuddering while you are driving, it may be a tire that is no longer balanced properly. If the new tires and wheels are properly balanced, but your car is still vibrating, 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 get them looked at immediately.
If your car shudders when braking, that’s a pretty strong signal that you should have the brakes checked out. The most likely reason for your steering wheel vibration is warped brake rotors. When a driver pushes down on the brake pedal, brake pads compress against the brake rotors to create friction which will then stop your vehicle. If you want smooth braking, you need a smooth surface. A warped brake rotor surface will cause shudders when braking, kind of like how a brick road feels rougher than an asphalt highway. Other causes of the shuddering include frozen brake calipers or damaged shocks. If you notice your steering wheel beginning to wobble, bring it to us, and we’ll check it out.
If a car is shaking before you ever start driving, then there’s a chance that you have some broken parts. The most common causes of a car shaking at idle are:
The Driveshaft has Gotten Worn – If not perfectly balanced or damaged, it could be the source of the shudders
Failed CV joints – Working together with the drive shaft, cv joints get the power from the engine to the wheels and, if broken, can be the source of the vehicle shaking in idle.
Broken Engine Mounts – As the name suggests, these components help affix the engine to the vehicle. If they get broken or even worn, it can allow your engine to vibrate under the hood.
If you’ve realized there is a shudder in your vehicle, then bring it in, and we’ll inspect it for any trouble spots. Our trained techs will diagnose the reason for the vibration and get you back on the road.
Bob Howard Toyota is an ideal place to get Toyota service in the Oklahoma City 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 RAV4 service online or in person today.