A properly-tuned and maintained car will glide over bumps, potholes, and uneven road surfaces quite easily. However, in some cases, your car may have difficulties riding smoothly on various roads.
If your car has started bumping along dirt roads, or jars you when you drive over speed bumps and potholes, this could be much more than just an inconvenience. If your car is not riding smoothly, this could be a sign of a much more serious mechanical issue – and you should bring it to the Ride Time service right away.
What are some potential reasons your car may be riding rough? Let’s take a look at the top X things that cause this issue now!
1. Tire Troubles
Tire troubles are actually the #1 cause of car vibration, and “rough riding”. Tires are often overlooked when it comes to a smooth ride. There could be a few different culprits:
- Tires need to be rotated and balanced – If you are noticing vibration of your steering wheel, this is likely the cause of your rough ride. If your tires have not been rotated and balanced recently, they may wear unevenly, and they may cause your vehicle to pull to one side, or bounce around when going over obstacles.
- Tires are unevenly worn – If your tires are unevenly worn, you won’t get a smooth ride. The best way to prevent this is with a regular 6-month tire rotation.
- Low tire (or high tire pressure) – Low tire pressure can cause tires to feel “slushy” and unresponsive, while high tire pressure can make even smaller bumps feel like gigantic potholes or speed-bumps. Both low and high tire pressure can cause premature wear and warping of your tires. Avoid overfilling or underfilling tires – check your driver’s manual for the proper PSI, and make sure they’re properly filled every 2-3 weeks.
2. Suspension Issues
The suspension is what absorbs most of the impact of road obstacles, and keeps your tires in contact with the road. Suspension issues are another common cause of a “rough ride.”
Common indicators of suspension issues include:
- Vehicle leaning to one side heavily
- You bounce up and down multiple times after going over a pothole or bump
- You feel “jolted” when driving over a bump
- You see red fluid underneath your car when it’s parked
Over time, the springs and suspension bars that make up your suspension can become damaged. This is especially common if you drive in rough areas, like on dirt roads or over large obstacles. You’ll likely need a professional assessment and repair from Ride Time.
3. Axle Damage Or Bending
The axle is the long, central shaft that connects your wheels to the transmission, and delivers power to them. Axles can be damaged by things like driving over large obstacles – such as accidentally dropping over a curb – or by taking potholes and speed bumps at a high speed.
If an axle becomes slightly bent, it may begin to wobble your vehicle, due to the tires not spinning evenly. Vibrations and a “rumbling” sensation are common – even at low speeds – if you have axle problems.
Some axles can be bent back into shape, but a significant bend may require the total replacement of your axle, which can be quite expensive.
4. Misfiring Engine
Sometimes, vibrations can actually come from the engine. This is usually because there is not the proper oxygen-fuel mix in the engine, or the spark plugs are failing. If you feel excessive vibrations when accelerating, or when traveling at a specific speed, this may be the cause.
Usually, this is not a huge problem, and it can be fixed with some basic steps like fuel injector maintenance and spark plug replacement. Still, it’s important to get your car repaired as soon as you notice these issues, to prevent further damage.
Car Not Running Smoothly? Bring It To Ride Time Now!
At Ride Time, we can help you diagnose the true cause of a “rough ride”, and get your car back in great shape! At our service centre, we pride ourselves on delivering professional and speedy service to all of our customers.
Schedule your appointment now, and make sure that your car is maintained properly – and functions perfectly for years to come.
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