Have you ever experienced intermittent vibration at highway speeds? Considering that your automobile is going at high rates, it is not unexpected for you to experience some vibration over time.
If you find yourself in this situation, do not panic yet. Our post will explain the reasons behind this issue and what you should do about it.
What Causes Intermittent Vibration At Highway Speeds
Any time there is vibration in your car, it simply signifies that something is wrong with it. Below are the most common reasons for vibration in seat at highway speeds.
Tire Problem
The tires connect the car to the road, so when there is a lot of vibration when driving, these parts are likely the main culprit.
In addition to giving the vehicle the traction it needs to drive, tires also help to dampen road vibrations before reaching the shock absorber.
Tire compounds will lose their oils as they age, making them harder. Particularly at 70 to 80 mph (miles per hour), harder tires cause the car to vibrate more.
The vibration at highway speed may be more noticeable when there is uneven wear on your tires.
Therefore, it is advised to replace the tires every 3-4 years, regardless of whether it is below the minimum value for tread depth.
A similar excessive vibration issue is seen when driving on an alloy wheel that has significant run-out or has been deformed.
Unbalanced Wheels
When driving, your automobile may vibrate for reasons other than its tires. In some cases, slight vibrations are caused by the wheels the tires are placed on.
The wheel weights, which are the parts that adhere to the wheels’ edges, help with the wheel balance.
The wobbling or hopping of unbalanced wheels causes vibration. The steering wheel will probably vibrate if the front wheel is not balanced properly.
There will be a visible vibration through the floor of your car if the issue is in the back.
Damaged Shock Breakers
The car’s body and the wheels are connected to the shock breakers. These shock breakers’ mounting points may deform when traveling on bumpy or potholed roads.
The shock breaker’s ability to lessen vibrations is compromised if it is not in good condition. The issue of the car gets shaky at high speeds is brought on by the lack of dampening of the motion.
The shock breakers’ upper bearings get loose or broken if your car is often driven over difficult terrain. Strange noises may also accompany vibrations while driving.
Therefore, it is important to examine whether the suspension system has bent shock breakers or bush cuts.
Engine Misfire Issue
An engine misfire issue could also be the cause of the vibration at highway speeds.
A misfire happens when the combustion stroke of the air-fuel combination is unsuccessful. It could misfire continuously or periodically.
The engine may vibrate or tremor as a result of a combustion misfire.
Your engine mounts aren’t made to reduce vibration brought on by misfires in the combustion process. In case there are multiple cylinder misfires, the severity of vibrations may rise.
Engine misfire is caused by incomplete cylinder combustion as a result of a problem with the fuel injection or ignition system.
These fuel injectors or ignition system parts may need to be replaced in order to solve the issue.
Worn Out Axles
If an axle bends, which is often caused by accident, the next ride will be jarring. The more quickly you drive, the more intense the vibration becomes with this issue.
The drive shaft also requires inspection, which is a related issue.
In rear-wheel drive cars, the power from the engine is transferred through this quickly rotating component to the wheels and rear axles. Shaking could occur when it were bent.
The same applies to joints with worn-out CV (shorts for constant velocity).
Most likely, the boots, which are the rubber, accordion-shaped covers that go over the drive axles’ ends, are not the issue if they are in good condition, the clamps are tight, and no lubrication is leaking out.
However, once your boots are ripped, it signifies that dirt and debris from the rough road are entering and harming the ball joints.
For front-wheel drive vehicles, roasted CV joints necessitate the purchase of replacement drive axles as well.
Faulty Brake Rotor
In case unpleasant vibrations or brake pedal squeaking noise start to occur or get worse while pressing the brakes, there is a good chance that your car is operating with a damaged brake rotor.
In automobiles that have the brake disc system, the brake rotor is the silver part that shapes like a disc.
Excessive wear and tear can cause the worn components to become bent out of shape. In other words, the rotor may overheat from having to halt more often than it can handle.
A distorted rotor has raised or depressed areas on some of its surface rather than being completely flat across.
Such warped rotors make it difficult for the brake calipers and pads to apply uniform pressure to the brake rotors, which stops the automobile.
It creates a minor vibration that you will notice while driving as a result.
Engine Mounts Problem
The car structure and engine are connected by motor mounts, which are typically composed of rubber and metal.
Rubber aids in dampening motor vibrations, and metal in the engine mount offers the structural stability required to keep every component in place.
Naturally, both of these components deteriorate with time, necessitating regular motor mount replacement.
Engine mounts that are damaged or old are frequently to blame for sporadic vibrations when driving on the highway.
One transmission mount and two engine mounts will be present when an engine is positioned longitudinally.
The mounts serve as a barrier between the car’s subframe and the internal combustion engine.
Keep in mind that over three engine mounts are possible in small cars and hatchbacks since their motors are positioned transversely.
The whole drivetrain can result in sporadic vibrations in the car, even if just one mount leaks or breaks.
What To Do When Noticing Intermittent Vibration At Highway Speeds
Suppose you notice intermittent vibration while driving; it would be best to bring your vehicle to the nearest repair shop and have a technician perform a visual inspection to find out the cause of the problem.
If not, the vibrations could result in further damage and entire vehicle mechanical failure.
Depending on the cause of your car’s vibrating problem, you will have a different solution to solve it.
Some can be fixed with a simple repair process; others might need a full replacement. Thus, the cost of having the high speed vibration problem solved will also vary.
One thing to keep in mind is that if the standard warranty still covers your car, the dealership will fix the issue for you at no charge.
On the other hand, the warranty claim may be denied in case the tires and wheels sustain accidental damage.
The Bottom Line
The problem of intermittent vibration at highway speeds can happen at any time. If the car is not fixed, the vibration comes and goes at highway speed continuously.
Suppose you lose control over the vehicle on the highway; the consequence will be severe.
Thus, it is important to know the causes and what to do to handle the situation with grace, as it can help you avoid unwanted accidents and further expensive repairs.