If your car has an issue, then you might already notice it before hitting 60 mph. However, once you hit that speed, it’ll seem like you’re on some sort of a bad amusement right. Don’t worry though as in this guide, we’ll discuss exactly what to do when your car shakes at 60 mph.
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Why Does Your Car Shake at 60 Mph?
There are many reasons why your car is shaking when it hits 60 mph. With that being said, you shouldn’t be alarmed because you’re unlikely to lose control of your vehicle and meet an accident. With that said, it’s best to drive very carefully if you’ve got a shaky vehicle.
If you know that your car shakes violently when it reaches 60 mph, then it’s best that you avoid driving that fast. Stay away from highways and other high-speed roads. Otherwise, you might end up needing the help of a tow truck and mechanic that shall both set you back financially.
Solutions To Fix Car Vibration
Check Your Wheels
Wheels that are out of balance are often the main culprit behind shaking vehicles. To mitigate this issue, you’ll need a mechanical expert. He/she will measure your car’s wheel imbalance using a special wheel balance tester and then correct the problem. Sadly, unless you are a mechanic yourself, then there is no way to mitigate this problem without help from others.
Inspect Your Brakes
It’s not uncommon for your brakes to cause your vehicle to shake once it reaches 60 mph or more. Often, this happens when the rotors of your brakes aren’t properly rounded. It also happens when the calipers are sticking, which causes your car to shake at high speeds.
In any case, a clear sign that your break’s calipers are the problem is when a burning odor emits when you hit the breaks. When that happens, head over to your mechanic immediately.
Look At Your Automobile’s Engine
Engine trouble can obviously cause your car to shake when it hits 60 mph. In this case, your car has faulty spark plugs that are misfiring. As a result, your car will lurch and try to stall.
Another cause of shaking when you go faster than 60 mph is a faulty transmission. Remember, a transmission system that needs maintenance, replacement, or repair is often bumpy. Also, it causes gears to slip, miss, and grind – making driving an almost impossible thing for you to do.
How Often Should You Service Your Car?
The vast majority of car repairmen recommend that you have your automobile subjected to a full inspection every 12 months. Meanwhile, some say that it’s appropriate to have your car checked every 12,000 miles to make sure that it’s in tip-top shape.
Regardless of where you’re located, it’s almost certain that your mechanic may charge you with exorbitant prices. Because of that, you may want to do your repairs by yourself. Now by taking this path, you shall need to carefully read the service manual that comes with your automobile.
Now here are some important tips that most car manuals recommend:
- Change oil and your filter every 3000 to 7000 miles. You may also do the same every 3 to 4 months.
- Subject your vehicle to regular tune-ups to make sure it’s running properly.
- Replace your air filter every 15,000 to 20,000 miles.
- Add Sea Foam to your fuel tank every 7000 miles to clean your engine, improve how it performs, and prolong its lifespan.
- Inspect your brakes every 5000 to 7000 miles. Also, flush your brake fluid every 2 years.
- Replace old or broken light bulbs as soon as possible.
- Frequently check the pressure of your tires and rotate them after 6000 miles.
- It’s recommended to have your power steering system flushed every 30,000 miles.
- Be sure to replace your timing belt every 4 or 5 years.
- Periodically inspect the radiator of your vehicle to make sure it doesn’t have any leaks or corrosion issues. Flushing may be necessary every 3 years or 50,000 miles.
- Change your manual car’s transmission fluid every 30,000 miles. Now if you’ve got an automatic vehicle, then a fluid and filter change may necessary every 60,000 miles.
Most vehicles nowadays have a built-in alert system that informs you if you’ve got an issue with your car. Furthermore, they also have high-tech sensors that determine and let you know when it’s time to make your scheduled trip to the mechanic for a maintenance check.
Vehicles with lots of miles on them lack many of the digital amenities that modern automobiles have. Hence, you must base your service intervals on the number of miles that you’ve driven and the amount of time you’ve been using your car. Remember, checking the manual goes a long way, especially for those who drive older models.
FAQs
Can a bad alignment cause shaking?
Yes. A bad alignment can indeed cause your car to shake.
Bad alignment can occur simply by hitting a curve. Now a telltale sign that you’ve got a vehicle with bad alignment is it shaking at speeds starting at 60 mph. Don’t worry as any qualified mechanic can fix a bad alignment. However, your expenses may vary by the mechanic.
Is it safe to drive when your car is shaking?
No. Be that as it may, you shouldn’t panic if your car starts shaking at high speeds. Rather, you should slow down and head straight to an auto repair shop.
Alternatively, you may call your towing service of choice and have your car brought to your mechanic to make sure you’re going to remain safe.
Can low tire pressure cause shaking?
Of course. Low tire pressure can indeed cause your car to shake at 60 mph and beyond. Now if your think your low tire pressure is the reason why your vehicle is shaking at high speeds, then it’s time to make a pitstop. This is especially true if you’re driving a large SUV as well as a truck.
With that being said, low tire pressure isn’t the only culprit behind shaky vehicles. Worn-out tires can also be the cause of a bumpy ride. This is especially true if your tires didn’t wear out evenly.
Wrapping Everything Up
If your car shakes at 60 mph and above, don’t worry. Instead, slow down and head straight to your local mechanic. Have him or her inspect your engine, breaks, and tires to discover the reason why your car is shaking. Following that, have the appropriate repairs done to your automobile so you may once again drive safely and comfortably at 60 mph and higher.
