Do you find your car shakes once it hits 60mph? If you’re noticing vibration in your vehicle when you hit a certain speed, this can often be an early warning sign of something that could end up being a much more serious issue.
If you’re wondering what the common causes of car shake over 60mph and if it is safe to drive when your vehicle is vibrating, keep reading this article for everything you need to know and some insider top tips.
It can be annoying when your vehicle’s steering wheel or front/rear end starts vibrating once you hit certain speeds and can make your journey feel uncomfortable after a short amount of time.
However, this is often a first warning sign that your car may not be safe to drive and need some maintenance. It can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause as the vibration could be caused by a number of different components in your vehicle.
If you’re not sure where to start when you notice your vehicle shaking then there are a few common reasons that may be causing your car to vibrate at certain speeds.
It is difficult to know whether your vehicle is safe to drive when shaking without a full proper inspection by a professional garage, but there is no harm in checking some of these common reasons to see if you can spot the issue and save some cash.
It may seem obvious, but when your vehicle is low on gas, this can lead to shaking when reaching higher speeds. It could also be a sign of faults within the fuel system and injectors.
Your shaky car could also be something as harmless as low tire pressure. If you have recently inflated your tires then you may want to check for any signs of a slow puncture that could be to blame for your car’s vibrations.
You may also want to have the alignment of your vehicle checked to see if this is to blame. Your vehicle may benefit from having the tires rotated to even out wear and create a less bumpy ride.
If you are regularly checking your tires as recommended then you would have noticed signs of uneven wear, but if you haven’t then it is important to check the tread has not been unevenly worn down leading to your tires losing shape and creating the vibration.
You may be lucky and find the cause of the vibration of your car is a simple issue such as the air filter or spark plugs which can be easily replaced and fixed at home. Both of these issues present themselves in similar ways as they control and ignite the fuel and air mix within the combustion chamber which can lead to misfiring, lack of power, and annoying vibrating at high speeds.
If your vehicle has recently had any hard bumps or light damage then you may not have considered if it has affected the suspension or chassis of your vehicle. Damage can also be caused by rust and general age-related damage in vehicles that have been around for a long time.
Check your suspension system, shock absorbers, CV joints, control arms, driveshaft, and struts for any signs of damage, even if it only appears as a tiny crack. This could be the reason behind your car’s excessive vibration at high speeds.
Now we have covered the most common reasons behind vehicle vibration and shaking over 60mph you should have a better indication of what aspect of your vehicle is damaged or in need of some TLC. Here are some of our recommended methods you can perform at home to eliminate and fix your vehicle’s shudder.
It is important to notice when there is serious damage that requires rectifying in a garage by professionals and you should never attempt a job you do not feel 100% confident in fixing as you may end up causing more damage and creating a bigger problem for yourself in the future.
A clogged fuel filter can lead to your engine not getting the needed amount of fuel when you accelerate and this restriction can be a leading cause of your vehicle vibration. Other symptoms of a clogged fuel filter include frequent engine stalling and difficulty in starting your vehicle.
Changing your fuel filter can be done at home with the use of simple tools such as sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, and pliers and may help to save you some money in comparison to garage prices.
Worn-out spark plugs are also one of the most common causes of engine shaking. If they are dirty or worn out this can also lead to similar problems but changing your spark plugs is an easy at-home maintenance job that you can perform without any issues. Just like changing your oil, the spark plugs are often forgotten about in vehicle maintenance.
Although most drivers are aware of how crucial it is to have properly inflated tires, many do not regularly check them at the suggested fortnightly interval for wear, defects, or possible slow punctures.
Uneven tire wear is another top cause for car shakes over high speeds so make sure your tires are in good condition and have the correct amount of tread. You can also check your wheels are aligned and tight enough as they could have loosened up over time which is a serious hazard.
The most common reason behind vibration when driving at high speed is the tires of the vehicle being unbalanced or no longer being of good enough quality in order for them to be road-safe.
Although excessive vehicle vibration doesn’t always mean there is a serious fault, it isn’t something you should ignore. If your vehicle starts to vibrate you should get it checked immediately as it is often a sign of something in need of replacement and leaving this unchecked could cost a lot more money in the long run.
If you suspect your clogged fuel filter is to blame for your vehicle’s vibrations then you may also notice other signs such as frequent stalling, difficulty starting your engine, and poor engine performance such as lack of powerful acceleration.
If you commonly feel shaking at high speeds there are several reasons that could be behind it. It could be a lack of fuel through the filter causing inadequate engine performance, spark plugs being dirty or worn, or something as simple as your tire pressure needing a top-up.
If your vehicle shakes when braking this is a common sign of warped brake discs or uneven wear. This often means they need replacement which can cost around $400.
If you suspect your vehicle’s shaking or vibrating issues are a sign of something more serious you should always consult a garage for professional advice on the best way possible to keep your car in tip-top working condition.
We hope this article has helped you to be aware of the signs you should look out for to help diagnose the cause of your car vibrating over 60mph and you have learned a thing or two about proper car maintenance.
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