Car Shaking After New Tires: Causes and Solutions
Installing new tires in a car is exciting. Besides the neat look, we also expect a smoother and faster ride. But is the case different for you? I can relate. Often, the car shakes after it gets new tires. There are quite a few reasons why this may happen.
Car shaking after new tires happen due to reasons like wrong tire alignment, faulty tire, incorrect installation, or wheel balancing. While the issues are common, they must be identified and solved to avoid accidents and further issues.
This article focuses on why car vibrates with new wheels, the solutions, and other related matters. Keep reading if you are facing this issue.
5 Causes and Solutions for Car Shaking After New Tires:
Most of the issues with car vibration are related to faulty tires or wrong installation. To suspect the actual cause, it is important to know the possible reasons and the respective solutions.
Have a look at the common grounds that result in a shaky car and know the solutions.
1. Unbalanced Tires
If the tire has slightly uneven surfaces or edges, the car may start shaking when you drive at more than 55mph speed. The uneven finish and the difference in thickness in the tire cause an imbalance resulting in a vibrating car.
Solution: Ensure doing a balance check after the tires are installed. However, if you end up having this issue, putting the weight at the rim of the tire can help to balance it out.
If it doesn’t work after driving a bit, go to a mechanic so that he can use a tire balancer and distributes the weight. Bringing back the wheel balance is the solution this problem needs.
2. Distorted Rim
Faulty rims are often overlooked while wheels are changed. The structure of the tire rest on the rim.
If the rim is distorted, the tire won’t fix correctly on the rim causing the wheel to shake. Quite a common problem, this should be checked before installing new tires.
Solution: Fixing a dented rim is difficult. While steel rims can be fixed by welding, aluminum rims don’t offer that option. If the distortion is major, you may require to replace it to avoid shakes and risks. This can be expensive but should be done for a safe ride.
3. Alignment Problem
If the wheel is not aligned, the wheels would shake. Alignment means the wheels are fixed as per the original design. The newly installed wheels must match closely or exactly with the car’s specifications. Otherwise, the alignment defects can cause further problems.
Solution: Generally, the mechanic who is fixing the new tires should execute an alignment test. If the installation is already done, you can visit any garage and run a test to ensure that the tires are aligned correctly.
4. Faulty Tire
Now if the tire has some fault, it is obvious to face a shake. Though it is very rare, some tires may have faults. The finishing may not be good or the tire may not match your car model.
Another issue that can appear is an overpumped tire which has more inflated than needed. However, these issues have easy fixes.
Solutions: Check the tire before installation. In case you install a faulty tire, replace it immediately as a damaged tire can’t be fixed if the making is poor. If the issue is an overinflated wheel, pump out some air to balance the air pressure. Easy!
5. Poor Installation
Though most mechanics are certified and qualified, sometimes the installation can be done poorly. This may include alignment problems or poor fixation of the nuts and bolts. If the tire is not properly set up, the car can shake vigorously and this is very risky.
Solution: The only solution to this issue is to check the tire by driving before you leave the garage. Ensure that the tires are installed correctly and then pay for the service. Fix any issue you face right there in the garage.
How to Identify The Cause of Car Shaking After New Tires?
After the installation, it can become troublesome to identify the exact cause of why the car might be shaking. However, there are a few signs that can indicate the issue. Though it can be confusing to understand, have a look at the signs that can indicate certain issues.
- If the vibration is coming from your seat the problem might be in the rear wheels.
- If the shake is felt below the brake, the brake rotor must have some issues.
- When the tire is making noise, the issue might be in the alignment or installment.
- If the car wheels are not moving straight and moving sideways, this is because the wheels are not aligned or balanced.
FAQs
Why Is My Car Shaking After New Tires?Â
If your car is shaking after installing new tires, the most common reason can be the wheels that are out of balance. The other reason can be the technician’s fault in installing the wheels properly.
A loose nut or poor fixation can cause the shake. Moreover, the tire itself can have faults like uneven surfaces.
If the tire is overinflated, this can also cause the car to shake. Thus the tire, installation, and alignment should be checked to avoid car shaking.Â
How To Tell If A Tire Is Causing Car Shaking?
If your car is shaking, the reason can be hidden in the tire. If the vibration is coming from the steering wheel, the problem may lie in the front tires. Similarly, the issue may be in the rear wheels if the seats are vibrating.
On the other hand, if there is any fault in the rotor, you would experience a shake below the brake. These are some common signs to tell where the problem lies and why exactly the car is shaking.
How Long Should Car Shakes After New Tires?
Generally, cars experience shakes after new tires are installed. This is because the tires take time to adjust to the vehicle and need to run a few miles to break in. To give the best performance, the new tires may need to travel around 500 miles.
However, if you still feel shakes, there might be faults in your tire alignment, balance, or the tire itself. Get checked to avoid an accident.
Can Wrong Pressure Cause Car Shake After New Tires?
Yes, if the pressure is less or more in the tires than usual, the new tires can cause the car to shake. If the air is insufficient, the tires take more time to brake and the friction is less causing the car to shake.
Similarly, when the pressure is too much, the friction is more, which in turn causes shakes. Therefore, the wrong wheel pressure can result in car shaking.
Why Does My Car Shake After New Tires At 70mph?
If your car is vibrating when you drive at 70mph speed, this might be because the tires are improperly balanced. You may feel the vibration around the steering wheel when this happens.
When the balance is incorrect, the car may shake vigorously and you would need to balance the tires. Contact a technician and balance the wheels for a smooth drive.
Why Is My Car Shaking After New Tire Alignment?
If the car is still shaking after you align them properly, the reason can be a defective rim. A defective rim doesn’t allow the tire to sit or settle on the rim. Even a small dent or distortion can damage the rim and cause a shake.
Another reason can be the problem of balance. Get your vehicle checked immediately, identify the issue, and fix it.
Final Words
To conclude, car shaking after new tires can cause due to various reasons. The problems should be identified and fixed as soon as possible.
Don’t avoid the car vibrations and get the car checked to ensure safety. A shaking car is not only inconvenient to drive but risky too.
Therefore, address the issue which is shaking the car and solve it. Consult an expert in case of any confusion.