Vibration when cold

tomz17 · 06-13-2011, 11:00 PM

My car starts to vibrate around ~40mph mildly, but noticeably. It's definitely speed dependent. You could feel it in the seat and steering wheel, and it feels like an unbalanced wheel in the rear.

However, once the car warms up (driven for about ~10minutes) it's buttery smooth until well over 100mph.

Any ideas what could be causing this? I feel like it's getting gradually worse.

Chriztofor · 06-14-2011, 02:19 AM

Have your codes read. If you don't have a tool then goto autozone or advance auto, they will pull the codes for free. See what comes up.

galahad05 · 06-14-2011, 02:42 AM

Tire is the most likely culprit.
As the tire(s) warm up, the problem reduces to a point you can't feel it.

What are your tire pressures?
Have you checked for bubbles in the sidewalls?

A less likely possibility: slightly warped rotor(s). That also manifests itself as a speed-dependent vibration. Usually doesn't go away with temperature though. Sometimes, but usually not.

anerbe · 06-14-2011, 07:22 AM

^ agree

Tire is most likely flatspotting when cold, and it goes away once the tire heats up. With temperature swings of 20/30 degree F between night and day, this will often happen to tires especially that are underinflated.

Check your tire pressures when cold. Often times UHP tires are the culprit. Good luck.

tomz17 · 06-14-2011, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anerbe

^ agree

Tire is most likely flatspotting when cold, and it goes away once the tire heats up. With temperature swings of 20/30 degree F between night and day, this will often happen to tires especially that are underinflated.

Check your tire pressures when cold. Often times UHP tires are the culprit. Good luck.

I have the Kumho Ecsta LE's (UHP) on the factory 18's . Tire pressure is 38 rear, 36 front (cold).

The stock Bridgestone RFT's did not do this. I was also expecting this vibration to get better as it has gotten warmer, but it has not.

Any other thoughts on whether this is normal? Anyone else with UHP tires seeing this?

anerbe · 06-14-2011, 01:26 PM

It could just be the brand/tire line. Some tires are more prone to flatspotting than others (i.e. not every UHP will have the same degree of flatspotting).

You will most likely have to replace the tires - I would contact the place you bought it from and see if there's any satisfaction return policy or warranty.

anerbe · 06-14-2011, 01:27 PM

Do you have access to other wheels/tires? I would do a quick check with another set to confirm it's the tires. Also, make sure the wheels are torqued properly. As it disappears once warm, I suspect they are fine.

06-13-2011, 11:00 PM	#1
tomz17 Second Lieutenant 35 Rep 286 Posts Drives: 2020 M340xi Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	Vibration when cold My car starts to vibrate around ~40mph mildly, but noticeably. It's definitely speed dependent. You could feel it in the seat and steering wheel, and it feels like an unbalanced wheel in the rear. However, once the car warms up (driven for about ~10minutes) it's buttery smooth until well over 100mph. Any ideas what could be causing this? I feel like it's getting gradually worse.
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06-14-2011, 02:19 AM	#2
Chriztofor Colonel 103 Rep 2,783 Posts Drives: '06 325i and '13 X5 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (1)	Have your codes read. If you don't have a tool then goto autozone or advance auto, they will pull the codes for free. See what comes up. __________________ If no codes are being thrown use Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner (concentrate). It solves rpm fluctuating upon cold start-up. Also, for most BMW problems start off by scanning your car with the Peake Research Tool. It contains the actual BMW codes. If you want to register a newly installed battery for free (just buy a $10 cable) and google/download BMWLogger
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06-14-2011, 02:42 AM	#3
galahad05 Brigadier General 158 Rep 3,158 Posts Drives: '07 335i e90 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Long Island NY iTrader: (0)	Tire is the most likely culprit. As the tire(s) warm up, the problem reduces to a point you can't feel it. What are your tire pressures? Have you checked for bubbles in the sidewalls? A less likely possibility: slightly warped rotor(s). That also manifests itself as a speed-dependent vibration. Usually doesn't go away with temperature though. Sometimes, but usually not. __________________ Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. --Mark Twain
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06-14-2011, 07:22 AM	#4
anerbe Lieutenant Colonel 121 Rep 1,568 Posts Drives: Red E90M 6MT Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: BH, MI iTrader: (2)	^ agree Tire is most likely flatspotting when cold, and it goes away once the tire heats up. With temperature swings of 20/30 degree F between night and day, this will often happen to tires especially that are underinflated. Check your tire pressures when cold. Often times UHP tires are the culprit. Good luck.
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06-14-2011, 01:26 PM	#6
anerbe Lieutenant Colonel 121 Rep 1,568 Posts Drives: Red E90M 6MT Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: BH, MI iTrader: (2)	It could just be the brand/tire line. Some tires are more prone to flatspotting than others (i.e. not every UHP will have the same degree of flatspotting). You will most likely have to replace the tires - I would contact the place you bought it from and see if there's any satisfaction return policy or warranty.
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06-14-2011, 01:27 PM	#7
anerbe Lieutenant Colonel 121 Rep 1,568 Posts Drives: Red E90M 6MT Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: BH, MI iTrader: (2)	Do you have access to other wheels/tires? I would do a quick check with another set to confirm it's the tires. Also, make sure the wheels are torqued properly. As it disappears once warm, I suspect they are fine.
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