I have a little concern that you fellas may be able to help me with. I know this is a VERY bad comparison, (please don't flame ) but I just have to ask. Well lately my car feels like the bumpiness and ride quality keeps getting worse and worse. Everything on my car is stock, and I was just curious if it's really supposed to be THAT bad, and how I might be able to check my struts or shocks to see if they're having issues.




Well, let me get to the point. My car just doesn't feel as comfortable as it used to. Some might say it's paranoia or it's just me getting used to the car, and if that's the case, then I apologize. Everytime I hit a pothole (just little ones, you know the ones you see around construction sites) it throws me and my steering wheel jerks a lot, and I know this isn't normal. Also, when I'm driving on the road, it feels like my car is vibrating at the bottom of my feet, like where you rest your feet at as if you're in one of the passenger seats, and the reason I ask this is because I was driving my mom's car and I didn't feel this at all (she drives an 07 hyundai accent.) I haven't checked my tire pressure yet but that's going to be the first thing I check to see if that's the issue. Also, any suggestions are very appreciated, and sorry for sounding too paranoid because I really am, but just needed some advice.

 

If you've been hitting a lot of pot holes your alaignment may be off. That would explain the vibration you're experiencing.

 

Eh? I'm new to the car scene so it takes me a while to understand some of this, and thanks for the reply. How much does it cost for an alignment, about 40$? (I ask because I'm really tight on money). And the vibration I also feel is on the steering wheel and on my gas pedal and brakes, and not the vibration of the steering wheel shaking.

 

one the reason why it jerks is because when you hit a pothole, one wheel is on the road, the other is in the air. so yeah, the wheel will jerk because one side of the car has no traction. normal
avoid potholes, two, the hyundai accent doesn't have low profile tires does it? and it probably rides like a boat. that vibrating is more like feedback.

if you are hitting alot of potholes, you might have ruined your alignment.

 

Yep, sounds like your alignment is off. I'm not too sure on the price of an alignment...it's been a while for me.

 

ok ok i'm just ignorant but what do you mean feedback? and also, thanks for the reply.

 

Feedback is road texture (bumps, grooves, dead rabbits ect.) being sent back through the chasis to the steering wheel.

 

YES, that's what I'm feeling, and I never did feel this when I first got my car.... So you think the alignment is the problem?

 

Is it really possible that alignment goes off only after few thousand miles on your car? I see you have 07 like me, and yeah I feel bumpy and vibrating feeling as well (but I'm just dealing with it thinking it's because of low profile tires and stuff + I used to drive camry lol) I have less than 4 thousand miles and have ran over potholes few times (I felt bumpy feeling since day two, but thinking it's getting lil worse now). So is it really that easy to go off?

 

Well where I live at, Independence, they're basically reconstructing the whole damn city, so it's 99 percent impossible to avoid potholes, and I have 13,000 miles on my car (drive 20 miles to work and 20 miles back home 6 days a week) and yeah, it's very annoying. I came from a civic, which was a fairly nice ride, but this just doesn't feel like it used to.

 

are you lowered?

how many miles on the car?

its possible a shock(s) is/are blown.

a 4 wheel alignment will run about 80 bucks. just bring it in for an alignment and ask them to inspect the suspension (shocks, etc..)

 

not lowered, and only 13,000. And thanks, I will.

 

our tires are 45 series so you'll feel every singe little bump. bigger tires will help but don't do it. your alignment could be off as well like others are saying.

 

get some falken ziex

 

i don't think that would really help ride quality too much, but heck, you could give it a try.

how are the Ziex in rain/snow?

 

13,000 miles eh? Have you taken your car to the dealership for the regular tune ups? They do alignments for $30 bucks at the dealership. And full check ups to make sure everything is in order, hence the service follow ups. You'r best bet since your car is totally stock and still under warranty is to take it to the dealership and have them look at it.

BTW You know your shocks are blown if you see something like grease or liquid coming from the shock.

I'm not flaming on you but if your getting vibrations in practically the entire cockpit then you need to have it looked at and serviced.

And I feel the road in my tC too, all the time.

Probably the best advice I can offer you, and the best idea any one will give you on this thread to see if your car is having a problem is this... Take your car to a newly paved road or highway that is level. Meaning the road doesnt lean left or right. when you find this spot, then drive your car there. Since 99% of your area is under construction... If it's a smooth ride then your car is fine. I live in california and the highways are not car friendly, but there are certain areas that have repaved highway and the car is smooth on those spots. Thats how I know it was the road not the car.

To test alignment take your car to a road that is straight shot with no interuptions. Preferably a new paved road and light traffic. Drive and let the wheel go, if it stays straight and doesnt pull, then your alignment is fine.

 

What dealership are you going to?! Every one I've been charges over $70. I can't even get tire rotation for less than $40.

Your advice to willingwelli is golden... if you do take it to the dealership under warranty, take a test drive with a tech.

 

I went to the dealership down here in Kearny Mesa in San Diego. I went for my 10,000 mile tune up and they did the free oil change and I asked about alignment and the guy said $30. That's all I paid for my 10,000 mile check up...

 

^^ And hopefully he'll take my advice. Thanks for adding in the tech ride. And watch... he's gunna get a tech and the car is going to purr and have no problems... It always happens like that.

 

Well, my car does pull when I let go of the wheel, and also, when I have the scion logo lined up in the middle on the steering wheel, my car doesn't go straight.