What does it mean when the car shakes while driving? In one of my other articles that dealt with a closely related problem, I discussed how bad brakes or rotors can cause this problem.
However if the car and steering wheel continue to shake while you are driving you may have a few other issues that need to be addressed. This is not a problem that should be ignored or allowed to get worse.
So what does it mean when the car shakes while driving? If you have not been in a car accident, all sources point to your tires.
Although we often attempt to avoid the need to replace the tires on our cars, they too, are just as important as the gas that goes into the fuel tank.
As tires age, the tread on each of the tires begins to wear away. Unless you simply park the car and never drive it, tire wear and tear is honestly unavoidable.
Check your tires by visually inspecting them for signs of wear. If the tires look bald–no tread–or has areas that are bald, where there once was tread, the tires need to be replaced.
If you have not bought new tires in a while, it’s best that you replace all 4 of the tires. If you do not have the money to replace all of the tires, your best bet is to call up a local junk yard.
Do not just buy any tire that they give you, try to match the tread wear on the used tire to your other tires.
The air pressure in your tires may be too low or too high. I have saw many people pull up to the air hose at the gas station and just start filling their tires with air until they look full. Do not do this because you are doing more harm than good to your tires.
This number indicates the amount of air the tire manufacturers suggest that the tire be inflated too. You need a tire gauge, which cost a couple bucks, to check the tire pressure.
You use it the same way as you use the air hose to put air in the tire. When you stick the tire gauge onto the tire’s valve stem, a thin white piece of plastic with numbers on it will ease out of the end of the tire gauge.
The numbers on the tire gauge represent the amount of air within the tire. If the gauge reads 15 and you are supposed to be at 36, you need air. If the gauge reads 50 and you are supposed to be at 36, you need to let some of the air out of the tire. Never go higher or lower than the recommended P.S.I. for any of your tires.
You may notice that the tire bulges out in a particular area. This will also cause the car to shake while you are driving as well. If you notice this type of damage, even if the tire is brand new, you must replace it because the tire will eventually blow out.
You can pick up a tire gauge pretty much anywhere but they are cheapest at auto parts stores. Tire companies always run deals for tires, so with a little checking around I am sure that you can find a good deal on some new tires for your car.
If you elect to purchase a brand new, used tire for your car, it is wise to call junk yards before you head out. Write down all of the numbers that you see on the side of the tire so that when you speak with the junk yard, you know the exact tire that you need.
Note: Take your car in for a professional inspection as soon as you can afford to do so. While this is one solution because of the prolonged driving of your vehicle in this state, there may be other issues that pop up such as the need for an alignment.