Most cars today can handle being driven fairly fast without much issue. However, some people notice their cars oddly have trouble at specific speeds, such as 60 miles per hour.
If you notice that your car shakes at 60 miles per hour, you may be curious as to why it does that. We did the research, and here is what we learned about why this happens!
Why Does My Car Shake At 60 Mph?
Cars shake at 60 miles per hour because there’s an issue with the tires, which can be worn out, uneven, overinflated, etc. Troubles with parts of the brake system like the brake caliper and rotors can make cars shake. Issues with your transmission, axle, etc., can make your car shake at 60 miles per hour.
Do you want to find out more reasons why your car shakes at 60 miles per hour? We made a list of reasons below, so read on!
1. Worn Tires
The most common cause of cars shaking at certain speeds is a lack of tire balance from being worn out.
Usually, a lack of tire balance causes the steering wheel to vibrate, which can lead you to drive the car shakily.
Also, the unevenness of worn-out tires makes it difficult for the car to drive smoothly, making it more susceptible to shaking at faster speeds.
Typically, you will not notice any shakiness below 50 miles per hour, but you will begin feeling the difference once you hit 60 miles per hour.
2. Brake Caliper
Another common reason your car shakes at 60 miles per hour is your brake caliper, a part of the car’s brake system that helps slow the car wheels down.
Generally, brake calipers are the issue when they are “sticky” because sticky brake calipers make your steering wheel vibrate, making it difficult for you to drive straight.
That said, you would usually notice the shaking get worse the faster you drive your car since the brake caliper will have to work harder.
Additionally, a good way to tell if the brake caliper is the cause of your car shaking is by noticing a burning smell, especially when you stop your car.
3. Brake Rotors
Another part of your brake system that can make your car start shaking is your brake rotor.
Normally, brake rotors become the cause of a shaky car at 60 miles per hour when the brake rotors are out of round.
Generally, the rotors are warped when they are out of round, which often occurs when you are frequently in stop-and-go traffic or hit your breaks heavily.
Additionally, another issue that can occur with your brake rotors is when dirt builds up in them, which makes your steering wheel and car shake.
4. Overinflated Tires
As mentioned earlier, worn-out tires can cause a car to shake at 60 miles per hour, but the same will go for overinflated tires.
Normally, overinflated tires feel uncomfortable when driving and potentially make your car shake.
With that, this will likely be more noticeable if only one or a few tires are overinflated.
That said, this is because the car will not be even, so driving at high speeds with unbalanced tires will make you have a shaky drive.
5. Underinflated Tires
Like overinflated tires, underinflated tires can make a car driving at 60 miles per hour feel pretty rocky.
Further, having one or several underinflated tires will make your tires uneven, making your car shake when you drive fast.
6. Misfiring Spark Plugs
Your spark plug is an important item that ignites a mixture of fuel and air to make your engine create power, but a misfiring spark plug can make your car shake.
Usually, a spark plug can misfire when the spark plug is old or dirty but replacing it is very easy and affordable.
Normally, misfiring spark plugs make cars shake when you are idling or stopping, but it could set off while you are driving at 60 miles per hour.
7. Transmission
Transmission troubles can cause your car to shake for various reasons, depending on whether you have an automatic or manual transmission.
Usually, transitioning into gear and moving gears will cause more shaking than expected.
If you have an automatic transmission, you may not notice the shaking much, but there will likely be an issue if your check engine light is on.
8. Low Transmission Fluid
Other than issues with the transmission gears, the amount of transmission fluid could be responsible for a shaking car.
Generally, cars require transmission fluid to keep the gears running smoothly by lubricating moving parts.
When the transmission fluid is low, there will not be enough lubrication to make the gears move easily.
Due to low transmission fluid, your car will start shaking at almost any speed, particularly when you try to change gears.
9. Clutch Master Cylinder
If you drive a manual car, your clutch master cylinder may be what makes your car shake, particularly when the clutch master cylinder is leaking.
With that, look at the bulkhead near your brake cylinder to find your clutch master cylinder to see if there is a leak.
10. Worn Out Suspension
Another common cause of a shaking car is the suspension, especially when the suspension is worn out.
Normally, a looseness in the steering system or suspension can make your steering wheel shake, thus causing your car to shake.
11. Axle Issues
If you have recently experienced a collision or bump, your car may be shaking because of a problem with the axle.
That said, if the axle has been damaged or bent, your car will vibrate a lot when you drive, with the vibrations getting stronger the faster you drive.
To know more, you can also read our posts on why your engine sounds so loud after rain, why your car sputters, and why your car sounds like a helicopter.
Conclusion
There are various issues that can make your car shake at 60 miles per hour, but some of the most common problems are issues with your tires or brakes.
Additionally, other causes that can make your car shake are worn-out suspensions, transmission problems, and a misfiring spark plug.