While driving, it’s common to feel your car shaking after a snowstorm. Many people experience vibration in the steering wheel, the seat, or underneath the car. You might not feel it until you pick up some speed. This can be alarming and sometimes concerning, but the cause is usually benign.
Want to Save up to 50% Off Auto Parts?
Why Your Car Vibrates While Driving After a Snowstorm
The shaking felt while driving after a snowstorm comes from snow and ice stuck in the wheels. The snow acts as a weight and throws the tires’ balance off, making them wobble up and down or front and back to wherever the snow is. Snow is light, but it takes less than an ounce of added weight to throw off your tire’s balance.
If you feel shaking in the steering wheel, seat, or chassis while driving after a snowstorm, the tires probably have too much snow in them. Vibrations felt in the steering wheel are usually from snow in the front tires, and vibrations felt in the seat are usually from snow in the rear tires.
Driving on unbalanced tires can wear out the suspension and steering parts over time. It also makes for an unpleasant drive. It’s best to pull over in a safe spot and fix it, especially if you’re driving a long distance.
How to Fix a Car That’s Shaking After a Snowstorm
Steps for Fixing a Car Shaking After a Snowstorm
- Remove the Snow and Ice from the Wheel with a Glove or Hot Water
Remove snow and ice from the wheel, rotor, and wheel well. You can do this by hand with an old glove.
If the snow is light, you can also remove it at a self-service car wash with hot water. Make sure the package selection includes an undercarriage wash. - Remove Refrozen Snow or Wait for the Snow to Melt
Snow left in the wheels before and after driving may refreeze. If this happens, you may continue to feel a slight vibration until the snow has melted away completely.
If the vibration continues without snow in your wheels, then something else is likely the cause, possibly the suspension.
Learn to Do More Repairs with Our How-to Videos
We have more tips than how to fix a car shaking after a snowstorm. We have thousands of how-to videos with instructions specific to certain models and general repair tips. Find a video for you.
Related Content
- Top 10 Tips and Tricks For Winter Car Wrenching
- Should I Get Snow Tires?
- Winter Maintenance Checklist – Is Your Car Prepared for Snow?
- How to Remove Paint from Your Car Bumper and Body
- Trailer Running Lights Not Working? How to Test Different Trailer Lights Like Brake Lights and Turn Signals Not Working
Shop Suspension Parts
- Steering & Suspension
- Exterior, Body Parts & Mirrors
- Interior
- Engine & Engine Management
- Brakes & Wheel Bearing
This happened to my father a few weeks ago. He was going to take it to the dealer and I cleaned the snow and ice out of his wheels and it was all good. I am pretty sure it would have been a $100 bill to rebalance all 4 tires. That would have solved the problem since they would have cleaned the wheels as well, but they still would have charged to physically rebalance the tires.