Is Slight Steering Wheel Vibration Normal for a New Car?
2 Answers
New car steering wheel slight vibration is a normal phenomenon caused by engine resonance. New car steering wheel slightly tilted to the right: A slight rightward tilt in a new car's steering wheel is normal. Minor right deviation can be ignored, as it accounts for road design factors. Additionally, car steering wheels are designed with approximately 5% free play, within which directional deviation is considered normal. New car steering wheel feels heavy: The steering wheel of a new car may feel heavy due to excessively tight bearing fits or poor lubrication in the steering system. Insufficient tire pressure can also cause the steering to feel heavier.
When I first got my new car, the steering wheel also vibrated. I specifically asked a master technician at the 4S店 about it. He told me it depends on the situation: if it vibrates during cold starts or when idling at a red light, it's just normal engine vibration transmitted to the steering wheel. But if the vibration is particularly noticeable when driving above 60 km/h, it's most likely an issue with the tire balance—sometimes the lead weights on the inner side of the rims can fall off during transport. Here’s a little tip: next time you go for maintenance, ask them to clean the mud and dirt from the inside of the rims. Once, my car vibrated because of mud stuck in the rims. The break-in period for a new car is quite sensitive. If the vibration frequency is so high that it makes your hands tingle like a phone vibration, don’t hesitate—go straight to the shop to check the steering column screws. My cousin’s new car had this exact issue.
