Steve's Auto Repair & Tire Blog

Shaking steering wheel when accelerating

In Diagnostics by Steves Auto Repair and TireMarch 28, 2025

Some may refer to it as a “shimmy”. For others, it may feel like a shaking or vibration. Whatever you call it, you or someone you know may experience this when operating a vehicle.

Bad CV Axle from Toyota Avalon

A Toyota Avalon had a shaking steering wheel while accelerating. The problem started at 25 miles per hour and only went away when the driver took their foot off the gas pedal.

As he was inspecting the car, the technician saw a very worn out CV Axle. After we replaced this item, the vibration disappeared.

What can cause a car to vibrate?

A worn axle isn’t the only potential cause behind a car vibrating.

Here are some other reasons why you may feel shaking while driving:

Tire problems
Worn suspension parts
Steering parts going bad
Engine mounts
Transmissions

Balancing a Goodyear Assurance MaxLife Tire

Tires: Most commonly, tires are the source of vibration. Perhaps there is a loose wheel or the tire has become unbalanced. If the wheel weight gets knocked off, it might result in vibration. Even something as little as half an ounce can make a difference. Prior to tire installation, our technicians balance the tires. They should routinely be rebalanced as the rubber wears out.

Suspension parts: Sometimes the issue lies with worn suspension components. Shaking could be the result of control arms. Control arm bushings may cause a vibration, especially under acceleration.

Steering components: Bad steering parts can be the culprit, too. Loose steering parts and those that have play (or move) might lead to a vibration. This includes the rack and pinion, which the tie rods connect to, and the struts.

Engine mounts: A vibrating could be felt when an engine mount is wearing out.

Transmissions: It’s possible to get a vibration if there’s a problem with the transmission. On a CVT transmission, sometimes there’s something wrong with the clutch and belt mechanism, where it will cause a shudder. For non-CVT (or traditional) transmissions, you have valve bodies and solenoids that open and close on command. When they get dirty or clogged or break, they might malfunction. That will cause the car to have a weird vibration.

Shaking steering wheel on Toyota Avalon

A shaking steering wheel is one of several signs you might notice if your vehicle has a bad axle. Drivers may also hear a clicking sound or see grease on their tires. Noisy u-joints and leaking axle seals are other symptoms of an axle going bad.

What helped us figure out the problem in the case of the Toyota Avalon was the shaking steering wheel and knowing that the problem was localized to the front end. Observations like these (often provided by our customers) allow us to narrow down the search.

During diagnostic testing, we will take a vehicle for a test drive. However, our technicians might pick up on another problem or the symptom could appear different to them.

If you notice a problem but aren’t sure if it’s considered a vibration, shudder, shake or shimmy, it may be helpful to ask an automotive expert to ride with you so you can point out what you’re feeling.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located near Dumfries, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.

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What to consider when looking for an auto repair shop

In Community Involvement, Maintenance by Steves Auto Repair and TireFebruary 28, 2025

Are you in the market for an auto repair shop? Maybe you moved to a new area, or your car is in need of services that aren’t offered where you normally get an oil change.

There are many autoshops across Northern Virginia but the key is to find one that you can trust your vehicle (and wallet) with.

What to look for in an auto repair shop

As you check out a shop or think about settling down roots, keep these things in mind:

Working on a Boys and Girls Club bus

Community support: Is the auto repair shop giving back to the community? Does it support local non-profits or initiatives?

Certifications and licenses: When walking around the waiting room, do you see any certifications on the walls or a list of Virginia state inspectors? Aside from state and emissions inspections, automotive technicians and service advisors can earn Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications. They may receive training on safety and BG services, as well.

Customer service: When talking to a Service Advisor or front counter person, how do they speak to you? Do they listen to your concerns? If you’re experiencing a problem, talking to someone who hears you out may help set your mind at ease.

Decision-making: Sometimes, you just need an oil change or state inspection. At other visits, repairs may be recommended to address a problem. Do you feel like the decision is in your hands?

Knowledge: Are the employees able to answer your questions or – if they don’t know – are they willing to look into them for you? Can they explain services in a way you would understand?

Location: For many drivers, location plays a key part. Is the shop you’re considering near your house or work? If it’s a bit out of your way, could you receive a shuttle ride so you can accomplish tasks while your car is being worked on?

Apprentice Technician performing a brake fluid exchange

Services: Would the shop be able to provide different types of maintenance services your vehicle might eventually need? Being able to handle multiple needs at one place can be convenient.

Transparency: Does the auto repair shop offer digital vehicle inspections or share photos and videos about the health of your vehicle? This can show you that there is truth behind the suggestions and you aren’t being sold unnecessary repairs.

If you’re looking for a shop

Are you trying to find an auto repair shop but don’t know which ones to look into? Try asking coworkers, friends and family members who live near you. They may be able to give you a recommendation and share from their own experiences.

Checking out their reviews online or looking at their website or social media platforms could also provide you with valuable insight.

You can also give an autoshop you’re considering a call to ask basic questions about the services they offer and see how they talk on the phone.

Every driver will have different priorities when trying to figure out what businesses they’d like to go to. When it’s all said and done, you should choose a place where you feel comfortable and you know will take care of your car.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located near Manassas, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.

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Why is my defroster not working?

In Safety by Steves Auto Repair and TireJanuary 2, 2025

Between snowy days and cold, rainy evenings, a car defroster comes in handy on many occasions.

When this feature isn’t working, our visibility decreases and could lead to unsafe circumstances. It can also result in a failed Virginia State Inspection.

How windshield defrosters work

You may be surprised to know that your vehicle’s air conditioning plays a role year-round, not just during the warmer months.

The a/c can actually help you out when you hit the defrost button.

As the car is getting up to operating temperature, the air warms up and gets deflected onto the windshield, drying up the condensation.

What can cause defroster problems?

Have you noticed that your defroster isn’t working the way it should?

The problem could be rooted in the a/c system. If your air conditioning isn’t working, the defrosting process is going to take a lot longer and won’t be as effective.

Here are some possible causes behind defroster problems:

Malfunctioning air conditioning compressor: It’s possible that there’s an issue with the air conditioning compressor, which helps defrost the windows quickly.

Low coolant: If you have low coolant, a lot of times that will prevent the thermostat from opening, reducing the flow of coolant through the heater core.

Mode door actuator going bad: The blend door motor might not be directing airflow to the windshield.

We recently worked on a Honda Pilot where the defroster mode wasn’t working. The air wouldn’t switch from the main vent to the defroster vents.

One of our Master Technicians used a scan tool and saw that there was a code for an open or short in the mode control motor circuit. Through diagnostic testing, he learned that a mode door actuator had failed.

Freon leak: The air conditioning may not have enough freon to run properly. Leaks can occur at gaskets, fittings and other areas.

Wiring problems: Sometimes, more complicated problems can keep the car ac and defroster from working properly.

Earlier this year, the air conditioning and heat stopped blowing on a Chevy Colorado, even though the blower motor and other components had been swapped out. When we took a deeper look at the issue, we found that there was bad ground to the blower motor.

Other issues: Something could also go wrong with the defroster button on electronic systems. Problems with the AC controller or a bad thermostat could impact the defroster, as well.

Fixing the defroster

If your windshield defroster isn’t keeping up with the fog or melting any ice that has accumulated, schedule an appointment with a nearby auto repair shop.

While you can open up the windows or buy a defroster, those methods should be for emergency situations. You will need insight from an automotive expert to pinpoint the problem.

There are some reasons why we recommend a heater as a temporary solution. If you’re plugging in a defroster, you’re drawing on the 12 volt system of the car. A circuit could get overloaded. Plus, it’s a loose item in the cab that might hit you if you’re in an accident or you slam on your brakes.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located near Lake Ridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.

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How do suspension parts impact alignments?

In Alignment by Steves Auto Repair and TireDecember 6, 2024

There may come a time where you feel like your car is pulling to one side. Maybe it looks like the steering wheel is crooked or the tires aren’t wearing evenly across the tread.

These observations can be indicators that the wheels are out of alignment. Different factors can cause this, including potholes, speed bumps and curbs.

Suspension wear can be the culprit, too. You may notice certain noises when steering and suspension parts are worn or broken. The problem could also be found when an automotive technician is inspecting the vehicle or performing a tire alignment.

How suspension parts affect adjustments

When conducting wheel alignments, we want to make sure that the caster, camber and toe are in the correct parameters.

“Caster” explains how much wheels tilt toward a car’s front and back. Meanwhile, camber describes their inward and outward angle. Toe is a wheel’s left and right position in relation to the center of a vehicle.

Tie rod ends have a ball joint. If they have play, it’s going to primarily impact the toe adjustment. The steering wheel will mainly be affected by the tie rod ends but can be impacted by the control arms.

Worn shocks and struts on a Honda CR-V

Worn out bushings will make the caster and camber askew and they aren’t always adjustable. So replacing the component is needed.

Worn shocks and struts may not cause a vehicle to be out of alignment but could result in it traveling incorrectly, especially when going around corners.

Road conditions and the suspension

Components may go bad overtime or be impacted by a road condition.

For example, control arms sometimes become bent when motorists travel over potholes or come in contact with a curb.

When your tire hits a pothole, the energy has to go somewhere. The tire is going to take some of that impact. Then, it’s going to travel through the wheel and wheel hub. Depending on how the energy impacts the tire will affect the next component.

Cracking lower control arm bushings on a Scion Tc

Most of the time if you hit a pothole and have a standard modern suspension (keep in mind there are other variations), the majority of that impact is going toward the tie rod end and lower ball joints. Those ball joints are attached to the steering knuckle, meaning they are the first steering and suspension parts to catch that energy before traveling down the line.

Tie rod ends connect to the rack and pinion, which have bushings and other wearable components. On the backside of the control arms are bushings. All of those components are designed to take some impact, but they can only handle so much. That energy could be greater than what they are capable of taking.

When and why to get an alignment

We recommend car alignments once a year or every 15,000 miles. This service should also be done when tires and suspension components are replaced.

If your car feels like it isn’t driving straight or you don’t remember the last time it received a tire alignment, talk to your auto repair shop about having one performed.

Regular alignments provide several benefits, like keeping your tires from wearing unevenly and prematurely.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located near Dale City, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.

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Goodyear Tires you can trust for winter travels

In Tires and Wheels by Steves Auto Repair and TireNovember 22, 2024

Our holiday travels can take us across the state of Virginia or to even other parts of the country.

If your transportation plan involves hitting the road, having a reliable set of tires allows you to focus on the journey and the adventures that await you.

Goodyear Tires produces an assortment of options for all kinds of vehicles and weather conditions.

We’re going to talk about a few of them in this article:

The Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate Tire
The Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 Tire
The Goodyear WinterCommand Tire

Reliable Goodyear Tires

Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate Tire

If you’re seeking a performance tire for year-round driving, the Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate is one to consider.

Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate Tire

ActiveGrip Technology helps drivers maintain control while ActiveBraking Technology offers improved stopping ability.

Great handling is another trait of this all-season tire. Due to ActiveStrength Technology, you can tackle each corner with peace of mind.

The all-season tire has handy features, like rim protectors that prevent damage from any run-ins with curbs. A Wear Gauge makes checking the tire tread and wheel alignment possible.

It’s backed by a 45,000 mile warranty, giving you a few years worth of activities.

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 Tire

Whether rain or snow are heading your way, the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 Tire is prepared for it.

The tread compound enables this all-season tire to adjust to the different weather conditions we experience throughout the year.

Goodyear Assurance Weather Ready 2 Tire

Sweeping grooves are able to push water and slush away from the tire, improving its handling capabilities.

With the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 Tire comes the three-peak mountain snowflake, which means that it can take on severe snow.

Driving over bumpy roads and switching lanes is also more smooth, thanks to comfort inserts.

Goodyear WinterCommand Tire

The Goodyear WinterCommand Tire is designed for snow and ice-covered roads. As inclement weather hits, it offers the traction and braking drivers need.

Goodyear WinterCommand Tire

Becoming stranded is one worry that doesn’t need to cross the mind of motorists, thanks to sipes that dig into winter conditions. Traction can be improved by studs that are optional.

Harsh winter weather is no match against the Goodyear WinterCommand Tire, which features a three-peak mountain snowflake.

When traveling around curves, sipes that are set at an angle make this winter tire more solid.

Plus, it comes in many sizes and can be used on cars, SUVs and trucks.

Replacing tires for wintertime

If the tread on your tires are starting to get low, cracks are developing on the sidewall, or you’re starting to see chords, you will want to replace them before winter sets in.

Having high quality tires allows you to stop in a timely manner and keeps you moving through any storms that come at you. Meanwhile, worn tires don’t provide you with as much traction and control.

The sand that’s spread on the roads can lead to even more traction loss, especially when you’re going through intersections.

There are plenty of other Goodyear Tires aside from those mentioned above. If you’re interested in learning about other options, check out this article we shared.

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