A properly-tuned and maintained car will glide over bumps, potholes, and uneven road surfaces quite easily. However, in some cases, your car may have difficulties riding smoothly on various roads.
If your car has started bumping along dirt roads, or jars you when you drive over speed bumps and potholes, this could be much more than just an inconvenience. If your car is not riding smoothly, this could be a sign of a much more serious mechanical issue – and you should bring it to the Ride Time service right away.
What are some potential reasons your car may be riding rough? Let’s take a look at the top X things that cause this issue now!
Tire troubles are actually the #1 cause of car vibration, and “rough riding”. Tires are often overlooked when it comes to a smooth ride. There could be a few different culprits:
The suspension is what absorbs most of the impact of road obstacles, and keeps your tires in contact with the road. Suspension issues are another common cause of a “rough ride.”
Common indicators of suspension issues include:
Over time, the springs and suspension bars that make up your suspension can become damaged. This is especially common if you drive in rough areas, like on dirt roads or over large obstacles. You’ll likely need a professional assessment and repair from Ride Time.
The axle is the long, central shaft that connects your wheels to the transmission, and delivers power to them. Axles can be damaged by things like driving over large obstacles – such as accidentally dropping over a curb – or by taking potholes and speed bumps at a high speed.
If an axle becomes slightly bent, it may begin to wobble your vehicle, due to the tires not spinning evenly. Vibrations and a “rumbling” sensation are common – even at low speeds – if you have axle problems.
Some axles can be bent back into shape, but a significant bend may require the total replacement of your axle, which can be quite expensive.
Sometimes, vibrations can actually come from the engine. This is usually because there is not the proper oxygen-fuel mix in the engine, or the spark plugs are failing. If you feel excessive vibrations when accelerating, or when traveling at a specific speed, this may be the cause.
Usually, this is not a huge problem, and it can be fixed with some basic steps like fuel injector maintenance and spark plug replacement. Still, it’s important to get your car repaired as soon as you notice these issues, to prevent further damage.
At Ride Time, we can help you diagnose the true cause of a “rough ride”, and get your car back in great shape! At our service centre, we pride ourselves on delivering professional and speedy service to all of our customers.
Schedule your appointment now, and make sure that your car is maintained properly – and functions perfectly for years to come.
