Did you ever notice an intermittent vibration at highway speeds as you drive your vehicle?
If you have found yourself in this situation, you may be concerned and wondering why it happens. After all, it is not normal for you to feel some vibration just because you are driving your car fast.
If you are wondering why this condition arises, keep reading to learn more.
Intermittent Vibration At Highway Speeds
The primary reason behind this intermittent vibration at highway speeds is the tires.
The tires are responsible for the shaking, especially if they are not balanced. The shaking typically begins at 50 to about 55 miles per hour. But if you accelerate further and reach 60 miles per hour, it gets even worse. As you go up higher, it gets better, though.
There are also instances when the brake rotors may cause the vibration. So, if your steering wheel vibrates as you brake, then the brake rotors are the issue. You can even feel the vibration when you hit the brake pedal.
If the issue is with the tires, then you can easily prevent this problem by buying yourself good tires and making sure that they are balanced well.
But if it is the brake, then you need to have a brake caliper service done, especially when they need maintenance work. This is typically required for vehicles with more than 75,000 miles or more.
Common Reasons Behind Intermittent Vibration
Whenever there is a vibration in your vehicle, it simply means it is not in a good condition. Experienced drivers can easily but it is not always straightforward among beginner drivers. This is particularly true when you drive at very high speeds.
Thus, here are some of the possible reasons why your vehicle vibrates and what can be done about it.
1. Tire Issue
The most common thing to blame when vibrations are experienced as you drive your car is the tires. If your tires are unbalanced, too small, or simply not up to the required size, then the vibration may be observed. It is also the issue with air in tires not distributed evenly.
When the tires are out of alignment, the balance of the entire vehicle becomes shaky and disturbed. Not only is the vibration uncomfortable for the driver and the passengers, but it can also pose safety issues.
2. Shockbreaker
If the shock breaker is not in a good shape, then it is not doing its job of reducing the vibrations. The shaking is not dampened, hence causing the vibration problem. This is why you need to change the shock breaker, so it will be more comfortable to drive the car while eliminating this vibration problem once and for all.
3. Engine
Another reason behind the vibration is an engine problem. When you are driving at high speed, the engine may not be working well if the clutch is worn out. The engine may also fail to get the right fuel intake, which leads to electrical issues that cause the vibration.
Hence, you can address engine problems by checking the gas filter or fuel supply of your vehicle. The spark plugs should also be in good condition and not clogged up. If so, then you may need to have them replaced for a smoother and more efficient driving experience.
4. Axles
Next up, the axles. When these components are damaged or worn out, the vibration may persist. This is why when you have broken axles, the wheels become unstable and may cause the car to vibrate. You will have to bring your vehicle to the maintenance shop and have this portion repaired or replaced when need be.
5. Brakes
Lastly, the brakes impact the car’s vibration. You may have the disc completely exhausted or imperfect/ damaged, which is why you need to replace it. With a simple replacement, as well as an inspection of the braking system and brake pedals, you can get rid of this vibration problem that can be quite frustrating to deal with.
Read More: How To Tell If Your Car Was Struck By Lightning
Final Thoughts
There you have it – some common reasons behind intermittent vibration at high speeds. Now, you can eliminate this problem and stay safe on the road by getting these affected components fixed and replaced by a specialist.