Why does my car shake when I hit 100 MPH?

Question

I was racing some guy in my little Mazda6 yesterday and when I hit 100-110 MPH I felt my steering wheel shaking and my body was vibrating. Why does this happen?

Answer 1

All cars shake at 100mph except for big SUV's if they can reach that, and high end sportscars.

Normal cars like the Mazda 6 are not meant to go 100mph. At that rpm, the engine is revving very high making the car shake, and the wind pushes the car around andthe road makes it shake.

That is normal for a car to shake at high speeds.

Answer 2

well at 100 MPH that could be alot of things most tires are rated at under 100, most tires are not balanced to run 100, CV joints can shiver when at high speed, and that is just a few things  

Answer 3

cuz ur rollin in a mazda6

Answer 4

Why are you going 100 MPH anyways? We have enough to worry about drunk drivers and people asleep at the wheel, we shouldn't have to worry about sober people speeding voluntarily!

Answer 5

It could just be your tires. What is the speed rating. I use Firestone Firehawk GTs and its smooth at 125-135. Another source may be wheel imbalance. If you go to your local tire shop, they can balance your wheel and adjust the weights as necessary....and i know its stupid, but make sure the lugs nuts are on nice and tight.

Answer 6

unbalanced tires

Answer 7

your car wasn't meant to go that fast. just because it CAN go that fast doesn't mean it SHOULD. it isnt a racing car, its an economy car.

Answer 8

First of all "imbalance" is not the correct word to use in this situation so that alone should tell you about the rest of the opinion.

Several things could cause a vibration.

1) Tires out of balance and/or not balanced precisely enough for high speeds.

2) The tires could be starting to seperate but you won't notice it until higher speeds.  The speed rating is important but just because a tire isn't "rated" for 135 or what have you doesn't mean it starts to vibrate at 136.  Plus you probably have H rated tires on that vehicle which are rated at 135 (which should also tell you it's more than an econobox the others have acused you of driving.)

3)CV axels can be a problem but not likely on your car at this stage of it's life but you never know you could have hit a pot hole or something and damaged one ever so slightly.

4) Inner and or outer tie rod ends.  Mileage on the vehicle and how you drive it will dictate how worn they may be.

5) A slightly bent rim.

Take it in to a mechanic and have them check axels and tie rod ends, ball joint etc on the front end.  Get the tires balanced, maybe find a performance shop that can balance them at "high speed"  Rotate the tires.  Take it on a test drive and see if the vibration moves.  In fact you may try that first because you can do that yourself.  If you rotate the tires and the vibration moves from the steering wheel to the seat of you pants then it is one of the tires or rims.  If it stays up front then it's a problem in your suspension or drive line.  If it moves to the back then you have it narrowed down to the two tires and rims on the back.  If it stays up front then you will have to do some more investigation.

Answer 9

The first answer is correct, your wheels are imbalanced. My car also had the same problem when i hit about 70mph, i had the wheels balanced and the problem has dispeared.

Most garages will balance the wheels when you get new tires fitted.

Answer 10

Wheel imbalance. You need to get your wheels balanced so one is not heavier than the other and this vibration will go away. I'm sure as you will get this from a lot of people, but if you're doing 100-100mph please keep it on the track as you can put other people's lives in danger.  

Answer 11

ok fine. Not an answer but a question/opinion. When you felt a need for speed were you on a closed course or on a public road? If you demonstrated this need for speed on public roads you should feel ashamed of yourself and visit a few crash scenes that involve innocent drivers and passengers that do not discriminate between young or old and how long they have to suffer intolerable pain on the road .

Answer 12

For a car that new it really can't be tire imbalance.  A lot of factors will cause the car to vibrate.  Speeds like this aren't typical for economical cars like these.  They are not high performance cars that are modified to with stand speeds like this.

                     Possible factors of vibration

The Mazda 6 is not aerodynamic enough to put down force to keep your car on the ground.  Stock ride hight is not good enough of center of gravity.  Engine RPM is at high, causing pistons to run harder and faster.  With stock tires that aren't low profile when being spun will warp up to an oval a tab bit, but its not to noticeable.  

Answer 13

just to give you an idea, even a ferrari is going to do that at that speed. you have no idea how easy it is to loose control.  STAY SAFE.

Answer 14

This happened because its an ECONOMY CAR!, its not a sports car, never ever when the car was designed did they ever think someone would go 110 in that car. You were probably on the brink of losing control. Do you know how easy it is to lose all traction when going 110 mph? Its very easy, and you skid quite a while, unless there is a telephone pole to intercept your car and rip your body(not the cars) into pieces. Keep it on the track

Answer 15

because you are endangering everybody around you and GOD just wanted to get your attention...DUH!!!.

OH, i Know, you had it all under control...(What a Goof!!!)

all those good looks and s**t for brains

Answer 16

I would imagined your tires are starting to seperating at that speed.  You mini van is designed to to be driving at a normal speed 75mph max.  I would recommend staying below 100 mph and have those tires inspected by tire shop and have them rebalance it or if it is seperating you'll have to replace it (the price you must pay for moment of joy).

Answer 17

Vanessa you notice you get more answers to your questions about cars if you have a gorgeous picture of yourself?

Answer 18

It happens because you stupidly go 100mph.

Answer 19

  Wow what a bunch of do-rights on here. I agree with the other guys on here unbalanced tires. I think she asked a question if she wanted to hear preaching she probably would of went to church. I just want to know if you won.

  Just for FYI I have a 06 MPV yes mini van that's governed at 115 how would I know that and no I wasn't on a race track and yes there was no traffic. So boo hoo.  You know if you do-rights would move over and get out of my way I wouldn't feel so obligated to drive fast once I finally get around you.

  Oh and for the knucklehead that said that a mazda 6 isn't meant to go that fast and its an economy car. Do me a favor and shut your hole it's a midsize, and by the way it's also raced in SCCA, of course you probably have no idea what that is.