Symptoms
- Vibration appeared immediately after new tires were installed
- No vibration before the new tires went on
- Shaking increases with speed
Likely causes
- CommonWheels not properly balanced during installationBalancing weights can be misapplied or skipped, especially if rushed.
- PossibleTire defect, like an out-of-round tireRarely, a new tire itself has a manufacturing flaw causing vibration.
- PossibleWheel not seated properly on the hubDebris between the wheel and hub, or improperly torqued lug nuts, can cause vibration.
What to do
- Go back to the shop that installed the tires; balancing issues from a recent install are typically corrected free of charge.
- Confirm with the shop that all four wheels were balanced, not just the new tires if only some were replaced.
- Ask them to check that wheels are properly seated on the hub with clean mounting surfaces.
- If rebalancing doesn't fix it, ask about checking the tire itself for radial or lateral runout on a specialized machine.
- Request a replacement under warranty if a specific tire is confirmed defective.
When to call a pro
Return to the installing shop first, since balancing or mounting problems from a recent job are usually fixed free under their service guarantee.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.