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Lexus Southwest Houston can help you identify why your vehicle shakes in idle.
As a driver, one of the unnerving feelings is when you can feel your car vibrate when driving. Is it a nail in the tire, did that pothole damage my suspension, or do I have a broken driveshaft? There are several things that may be the culprit as to why your vehicle is shuddering, and the amount of the potential problems can fluctuate greatly. The most probable cause of the vibrating generally occurs in the vicinity of your car’s tires and wheels. They connect the vehicle to the road, and if anything is out of place, you are going to notice. It may be something like a broken caliper or a broken transmission mount. These more severe failures might leave you stranded on the side of the road.
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If you recently got different wheels and tires, your vehicle shuddering could be caused by the wheels and tires not being balanced correctly. Tire balancing ensures the tire and wheel weight is. If you notice the tire vibration while you are driving, it might be a tire that isn’t balanced properly. If the tires and wheels are properly balanced, but your car is still shaking, be sure to check if the lugnuts are completely tightened, and ensure the tire pressure is correct. If your tires are the cause of the shudder, you should get them checked out immediately.
If your car shudders when braking, that’s a pretty obvious signal that you might want to have the brakes looked at. The most likely reason for your steering wheel vibration is warped rotors. When a driver pushes down on the brake pedal, the brake pads squeeze the brake rotors to bring your vehicle to a stop. A smooth rotor surface will give you smooth braking. A warped surface will shudder when braking, kind of like how a brick road feels bumpier than a highway. Other possible causes of the shaking include stuck brake calipers or damaged shocks. If you notice your steering wheel wobble, bring it to us, and we’ll check it out.
If the car is shaking before you even start driving, then there’s a good chance that you have some broken parts. The most common reasons for a vehicle shaking at idle are:
Broken Driveshaft – If not perfectly balanced or damaged, it might be the source of the shudders
Worn CV joints – Working in conjunction with the drive shaft, cv joints get the engine power to the wheels and tires and, if damaged, can be the cause of your vehicle shaking.
Failing Engine Mounts – As the name suggests, these components help affix the engine to the car. If they are broken or worn, it can allow the engine to engine shake.
If you’ve realized there is a new shudder in your vehicle, then bring it in, and we’ll thoroughly inspect it for any trouble spots. Our trained techs will diagnose the reason for the shudder and get you back on the road quickly.
Lexus Southwest Houston is an ideal place to get Lexus service in the Houston area. We happily service all vehicle makes and models. One of our factory-trained technicians will inspect your car or truck to determine if there are any needed repairs and will suggest the best resolution for you and your vehicle. Schedule your RX service online or in person today.
