What To Do When You Have a Shaking Steering Wheel

When it comes to car problems, a shaking steering wheel is what is called an “eye roller” problem. You feel your steering wheel shake and you just roll your eyes. Most people do not know enough about cars to know whether or not this is a serious problem, so they just roll their eyes and think “What now?”

But you do not have to think that way, because we here at Tommy’s High Tech Auto are here to let you know what’s what. The thing is, we are not going to give you a long-winded, comprehensive mechanics class on what your steering wheel shaking means. You do not care what it means. You just need to know what to do.

To that end, here is a guide on a few things you can do when your steering wheel starts to shake.

LOOK FOR ASSOCIATED PROBLEMS

The thing about a steering wheel shaking is that it rarely indicates any particular problem. If you tell your mechanic that your steering wheel is shaking, their most common follow up question is going to be “Has anything else been happening with your car lately?”

So, before you worry about your steering wheel shaking, think about the rest of your car. Is there a strange smell? A strange sound? Does your engine run consistently, or does it cough and sputter?

The problems adjacent to your steering wheel shaking will be much more indicative of what is going on with your car than the steering wheel shaking itself. The steering wheel shaking will just be your signal to start looking for these problems.

LOOK FOR WHEN IT HAPPENS

This is another way to prep for your mechanic’s follow up questions. People do not really keep track of these things, but that is partly because it feels like keeping track of them is impossible. It feels like there are a million different, random times it both could and does happen, and looking out for them takes constant vigilance.

This is not the case at all, however. You really need to look out for three things: Does the steering wheel shake when you brake? Does it shake when you go up hill? Does it shake when you are the highway?

The reasons for this are all a bunch of boring stuff related to a car’s mechanics. The important thing is that the number of situations where a steering wheel shake can happen is limited to an easily trackable number.

CHANGE YOUR OIL

This is the easiest advice to give in the history of advice. Changing a car’s oil will solve so many problems, including steering wheel shake. Just be sure to use the oil designated by your car’s owner’s manual. This will give you the most efficiency for the cost of your oil change. 

And if you would like some help getting your oil changed, Tommy’s would love to assist you. Set up an oil change over the phone at 940-514-8734. We hope to see you soon!