It’s pretty common to see people spilling their coffee or losing hold of the burger due to unusual vibrations. It could be embarrassing to have your car vibrating every time you put it in the drive.
So you wonder why this is happening. Moreover, it’s a great warning that something mischievous has happened inside your car. This could be anything from dirty or worn spark plugs, damaged drive shafts, and imbalanced tires to an engine misfire. If you don’t pay heed to it, it can cause really big trouble.
Replacing the faulty components or fixing the related wiring should solve the issue. But I want you to get deeper and pay better attention to today’s article on car vibrates when put in drive causes and fixes. So you’re not embarrassed again!

Why does My Car Vibrate When Put in Drive? Causes and Fixes
Well, that’s a pretty broad question to answer, actually. That’s because you just can’t be sure before checking. Many factors can work as causes of vehicle vibration.
One thing I should mention is the root, which most of the time comes down to the road or parts of the car. Now, we will dig deep down to explain every possible scenario that may be causing the issue.
Causes of Car Vibration
This segment of the article will discuss all the potential causes of why your car vibrates when put in the drive but not in neutral.
Mostly, the components of your car are the culprits here. Although it’s the most probable reason, you can be certain of it only after giving a thorough check-up of the following components.
Driveshaft

The driveshaft works as a medium of power supply between the engine and transmission onto the wheels.
As its rotation results in the transmission of power and torque, a minor dislocation can cause huge vibrations. So a damaged or bent driveshaft is often considered the culprit behind car vibration.
Axles
Axles are the parts that hold the wheels. A damaged axle can cause vibration, which can get severe as you accelerate the speed.
Tires

This component can be labeled as one of the most common reasons behind car vibration. The problems with tires that might be responsible are
Imbalanced Tyres | This might be the case if vibration increases with speed. Check for spots to be sure. |
Underpuffed Tyres | This will also cause excessive vibration at greater speeds. Underpuffed tires can cause your tires to blast. After checking for spots, check the air pressure. If the pressure differs from the recommended value, then this can be a problem. |
Improperly Worn Tyres | Thoroughly check your tires for any potential damage. If you find that tire is not aligned properly due to improper wear, you can point it out as a reason for vibration. |
Tire Faults | A tire that is irregularly shaped is faulty. If the internal treads of the tire are dislocated, it’s faulty too. |
Tread Damage of Tyres | Your car’s traction and braking ability depend o the tread of the tires. In rough weather, things can get even worse if the treads are damaged. And vibration comes as the last alert that you should change quickly. |
Car Rims | If your rims are misshaped due to some accident or hazard, they will harm your tires. Reckless driving is the main reason behind this. |
Tires with Less Resistance | This is the last thing to consider in a tire. Due to great environmental benefits, tires with less resistance need to sacrifice comfort and smoothness. |
Calipers
This component is very important as it plays a vital role in the braking system. As it generates some friction to let the brake work properly, If it gets stuck, it can be a reason for the vibration.
Engine or Motor Mount

The engine is connected to the main body by this part of the car. If the engine or motor mounts aren’t functioning as they should, it can cause noise, vibrations, and even accidents.
Spark Plugs
The spark plugs of an engine can malfunction if they are worn out or dirty. Your car vibrates when in drive and stops if its spark plug is jammed or damaged.
Lug Nuts
If you just had a repair of your car, there is a possibility that one or two lug nuts can be loose. This can cause your car to shake and even collide on the road.
Fixes for Unwanted Car Vibration
After recognizing all the causes of vibrations, it will be easier for you to solve the problem. Let’s look at the fixes you can do:
- Ensure the proper balance and treading of the tires. Take the tires to a shop and they will do the rest.
- It’s better to replace the tires instead of repairing them. If you have budget issues, then the latter is preferable.
- Make sure all the loose nuts are tightened properly after any sort of maintenance.
- Change or repair faulty cv joints, spark plugs, mounts, calipers, and driveshafts accordingly.
- The replacement should be easy but if you’re nervous, get your car to the nearest mechanic.
Observing The Car’s Condition for Possible Causes
Now let’s look at some things to consider that might help you find what causes the car to vibrate when driving:
- Look at the relation between speed and vibration.
- Note down if the car vibrates only at some specific speeds.
- Check if the vibration is focused around a specific place in the car.
- Try to listen carefully to find any sort of noise.
- Notice if the vibration occurs while the car is idling but the engine is on.
- Look at the steering to see what happens there during the vibration.
Are These Causes Threatening?
As you have read so far, the components that contribute to vibrations construct a car as a whole. So it’s a no-brainer that driving a car while having so many faulty parts can cause serious accidents.
Cost of Fixing
- The cost to fix vibration may vary. It can be free or cost you up to 1000 bucks.
- The cost varies due to the pricing of different parts.
- Make sure you locate the actual cause so that you don’t need to pay extra. Also, see whether the damaged part is covered by any warranty.
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