Why is my car shaking? Answers from Des Moines' best auto repair
Something is shaking and you can't tell if it's safe to keep driving.
You're right to ask. Tires, brakes, wheel bearings and suspension can all cause it, and when you feel it is the best clue.
Not safe to drive if you notice
- Sudden or violent shaking
- Growl that rises with speed
- Bulge or flat spot on a tire
Visit the shop
- 5875 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321
- Monday – Friday: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- 515-745-0934
Is it safe to drive when experiencing car shakes or vibrates?
Usually yes. A mild shimmy at highway speed can usually wait for a visit soon. A shake that is sudden, violent, or comes with a grinding or growling noise needs a check right away.
Usually safe to drive
- A mild steering wheel shimmy shows up around one highway speed.
- The brake pedal pulses a little but the car stops normally.
- The vibration has stayed the same for a while.
- The car steers and brakes normally otherwise.
Not safe to drive
- The shake came on suddenly or is violent.
- A hum or growl gets louder with speed.
- A tire has a bulge, a flat spot, or looks uneven.
- The engine shakes and the check engine light flashes.
- The car pulls or the brakes feel weak while it shakes.
Not safe to drive? Stop and call us now.
Pull over somewhere safe and call Joey's Auto Shop at 515-745-0934. We'll help you figure out your next step.
Why a car shakes or vibrates
When the shake happens points to the cause: at highway speed, when braking, as speed rises, or at idle.
Out-of-balance tire
A steering wheel shake at highway speed often comes from an out-of-balance tire, a bent wheel, or a tire with a flat spot or separated belt.
You need Wheel BalancingHard-to-find tire problems
Some tire and wheel problems do not show up in a standard balance and need a road force balance.
You need Road Force Wheel BalancingWorn brake rotors
Shaking or pulsing when you brake usually means worn or uneven brake rotors.
You need Brake RotorsWorn wheel bearing
A vibration that grows with speed, plus a hum or growl, can be a wheel bearing. These can get worse quickly.
You need Wheel BearingsEngine misfire
Shaking at idle or while accelerating may be a misfire from worn spark plugs or a bad coil. A worn engine mount can also cause it.
You need Spark PlugsUneven tire wear
Skipped rotations or poor alignment wear tires unevenly. Worn suspension or steering parts let the wheels move more than they should.
You need Tire Rotation
What you can check first
A few things you can notice before your visit:
Note the speed where the shake starts and stops.
Notice whether you feel it in the steering wheel, seat, or brake pedal.
Check whether it happens when braking, accelerating, or at idle.
Listen for a hum or growl that rises with speed.
Look at each tire for bulges or uneven wear.
Ready for a smooth ride again?
Call Joey's Auto Shop, a Des Moines People's Choice Winner 2022 through 2026, or make an appointment and tell us what's going on.
We find the cause, not only the symptom
The fix can be a tire balance or new rotors, bearings, or engine parts. The shop tests first, so you only pay for what fixes the shake.
- Step 1
We test
The shop road tests to feel when the vibration happens, then inspects tires, wheels, brakes, bearings, and suspension.
- Step 2
We show you
You get a digital inspection with photos and notes in plain language, so you see what we see.
- Step 3
You decide
Nothing starts until you approve it, and we confirm the fix before you pick up your car.
Why does my steering wheel shake at highway speed?
A steering wheel that starts to shimmy around 60 mph often points to a tire that is out of balance. It can also be a bent wheel, or a tire with a flat spot or a separated belt. Balancing fixes the most common version. If a standard balance does not solve it, a road force balance can find tire and wheel problems the standard balance misses.
Why does my car shake when I brake?
Shaking or pulsing through the pedal or steering wheel when you brake usually means the brake rotors are worn or uneven. The pads grab an uneven surface, and you feel it as a pulse. It is worth checking soon, because worn rotors make stopping less smooth and often wear the pads faster too.
Why does my car shake at a stoplight?
Shaking at idle or while accelerating often comes from the engine, not the wheels. A misfire from worn spark plugs or a bad ignition coil makes the engine run rough. A worn engine mount can also let normal engine movement shake the car. If the check engine light flashes along with the shake, get it checked right away.
Is it worth fixing a vibration soon?
Yes. A vibration wears tires faster and puts extra stress on suspension and steering parts. Some causes, like a failing wheel bearing, can get worse quickly. Catching it early usually keeps the repair small, such as a balance instead of new tires, or new rotors instead of a full brake job.
Other symptoms we can help with
See All Symptoms
Car Pulls to One Side
If you have to hold the wheel to keep the car straight, or it pulls when braking, something is out of line.
Learn More
Brakes Squealing or Grinding
Squeals, squeaks, or a metal-on-metal grind when you stop are your brakes telling you they need service.
Learn More
Feeling a shake?Let's smooth it out.
Make an appointment and tell us what's going on. We explain your options before any work begins.