Why does my car shake at 60 mph but not 70?
A shake that comes in around highway speed and fades again: usually balance, sometimes a rim, tire or worn part.
Guides
Why is my car shaking?
Most vibrations give themselves away by when they happen: at a certain speed, only when braking, at idle, with the AC on. These guides start from the symptom, list the possible causes with what a mechanic checks, and say what’s safe. Updated October 2026.
At a glance
| What you feel | Most likely cause | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Shakes around 55 to 65 mph, fades by 70 | A wheel or tire out of balance | Read |
| Steering wheel shakes only when braking | Front brake rotors with uneven thickness | Read |
| Vibrates at idle when the AC comes on | Worn engine mounts or a low idle under load | Read |
| New shake right after new tires | Balance, a wheel not seated, or a tire or rim out of round | Read |
| Shakes at a stop, smooth when moving | Engine mounts, a misfire or an unsteady idle | Read |
| Buzz in the wheel at a certain speed | Tire balance (a hum that changes in turns is more likely a bearing) | Read |
Most likely isn’t certain: a mechanic confirms. If a shake comes with a pull, a thump, grinding or a warning light, have it checked before driving on.
By symptom
What a shake usually means, what a mechanic checks, and what’s safe.
Steering wheel shakes when braking: rotors or something else?
Shake or pedal pulse only when braking: usually rotor thickness variation, sometimes hubs, calipers or worn joints.
Why does my car vibrate when the AC is on?
The AC loads the engine at idle. A small change is normal; a big jump often points to mounts or idle speed.
New tires and still vibrating? What to check next
New tires, new shake: usually balance, a wheel not seated right, or a tire or rim that isn’t round.
Car still shakes after a repair? How to check it’s really fixed
A shake that survives a repair: a second cause, a job not quite finished, or something the work disturbed.
Car shakes at idle but smooths out when driving?
Shaking at a stop that goes away once moving: usually mounts, a misfire or an unsteady idle.
How to tell if your tires are out of balance
What an unbalanced tire feels like, and how to tell it from a wheel bearing, a CV axle or alignment.
Buying a used car
What to feel for on a test drive, with a printable checklist.
How to check a used car for vibration on a test drive
What to feel for at idle, at speed, braking and over bumps, with a printable checklist.
How it works
How a phone measures vibration, and where it stops.
How a phone measures car vibration (ISO 2631-1, explained)
Accelerometers, sample rates, ISO 2631-1 comfort weighting, wheel and engine frequencies, and the limits.
Weighing up tools? See RidePulse compared with NVH apps, OBD2 scanners and a pre-purchase inspection.
RidePulse is a screening tool, not a professional diagnosis. Results depend on phone, placement and road. Have a qualified mechanic inspect any suspected fault.