Thread: Shaking at high speeds?

I've never owned a box-like car before, and I was driving long-distance last weekend going around 70-80 mph, and the drive was overall smooth, but now and then the car seems to drift a little. Don't know if it's the electric steering or not. Also, every now and then, it felt like a strong gust was pushing my car although there was no wind except my car driving. Car was checked out before I left and everything was in good order. Is this normal because of the box shape and wind resistance?

your heading says shaking, but your description says slight drift

Hard to say based on your description, I generally drive around 110 kmph (69 mph) and the odd time I've booted it up to 130 (80) to pass a convoy of trucks, but not noticed anything like you describe. Maybe it depends what you are used too. Sometimes when you are in the car you can get a sudden gust coming out of gully or flat area that ordinarily there would hardly be any wind. The higher vehicles have more of a tendency to be effected by wind more than a conventional lower sedan.
The electric steering tightens the faster you go and at most highway speeds its no different than the old conventional belt driven unit.

I meant more shaking left and right, but yea, I guess drifting would be more accurate.

I use to drive a civic which compared to the soul is a lot more aerodynamic. I guess it could be I'm just not as used to it, but every now and then it felt like the car was being blown by a gust and I have to tighten my grip on the wheel.

probably was a gust and your not used to it, and in the same situation would be more susceptible to it than your Civic. Actually I was surprised as how stable and quiet mine is at freeway speeds, but then prior to that I also had any high vehicle - the Rondo. But in retrospect with regards the Rondo, previous to that vehicle I had an older Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera which was 10" lower and shorter and longer than the Rondo but I found the Rondo far more stable in winds.

My soul is doing the same thing when I get around 70 or heaven forbid hit 80! Plus it pulls to the right & is already wearing out my tires. After kia rotated the tires at 13000 miles I noticed the rear tire was worn out on inside. Now at 18000 miles the front tire is also wore out on the inside. Obviously we have a problem. I am going back to the dealer & demanding someone figure this out since I just bought the car in June of 2012 brand new. Good luck

When did you last have the alignment checked? I had a car before that was doing just that and the alignment was off.

Hmm, our little car (Honda Fit) shakes horribly over 70. My Soul, on the other hand doesn't shake or wobble even past 80mph. So I have been using cruise control to keep from letting the speed creep so high. I'm trying for better mileage & you can't get that at 80+ mph.


Sent from my iPhone using AutoGuide.com Free App

Originally Posted by twink90

My soul is doing the same thing when I get around 70 or heaven forbid hit 80! Plus it pulls to the right & is already wearing out my tires. After kia rotated the tires at 13000 miles I noticed the rear tire was worn out on inside. Now at 18000 miles the front tire is also wore out on the inside. Obviously we have a problem. I am going back to the dealer & demanding someone figure this out since I just bought the car in June of 2012 brand new. Good luck

Interesting. If I had to guess, I'd say mine also leans towards the right as well. Just got the car from the dealer so haven't had an alignment done. They said all that stuff was already checked when they bought the vehicle.


Edit: I just wanted to add that it isn't a normal drift. It doesn't slowly pull to the right when I let go of the wheel or anything. It'll drive straight for several miles, suddenly it feels like it wants to turn right and I have to grab the steering wheel and hold it left. Then it goes away. That's why I described it like a sudden gust of wind.

Editx2: Ok, so I talked to my gf about this issue, and she's a state meteorologist. She mentioned that the area I was driving through on the highway was under a strong front with lots of damaging gusts. So I guess it might've just been that. I have another trip coming up so I'll post again if I notice the same issue again.

I've noticed on my Soul that the air from trucks passing or being passed on the big road have little to no effect on the stability, whereas, while driving down a level, smooth 2 lane at 55 mph a few weeks ago in a strong cross wind, it was being pushed all over the road. Just something you have to be ready for when driving the little box. The Soul is not a particularly heavy vehicle, either. And the electric power steering is rather touchy. It's all something you just have to get used to.

I bought new tires in April 2012 right before going on a long trip with it. No problems at all but after returning I went in to have the tires balanced (free service from where I bought the tires) and the next day I was driving in to work hitting about 70 mph and felt the wheel shaking. The next day I brought it back. They re-checked the balance and put the tires back on, saying they couldn't find the trouble. The next day going to work there was no shaking. I'm thinking whe n they mou nted the tires the first time, they may have not tightened the lugnuts correctly. Maybe they were in a hurry or whatever but I tolkd the service mngr my thoughts and he promised he would speak with his guys about it.

Not sure if my story helps. I hope all is well with your Soul now.