Road Test

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Dodge Stratus and 2005 Chrysler Sebring. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Road test vehicle on a smooth road for a least five miles to warm tires (remove any flat spots). Lightly place hands on steering wheel at the 10:00 and 2:00 positions while slowly sweeping up and down from 90 to 110 km/h (55 to 70 mph) where legal speed limits allow.

Observe the steering wheel for:

Visual Nibble (oscillation: clockwise/counterclockwise, usually due to tire imbalance)
Visual Buzziness (high frequency, rapid vibration up and down)

To rule out vibrations due to brakes or powertrain:

Lightly apply brakes at speed; if vibration occurs or is enhanced, vibration is likely due to causes other than tire and wheel assemblies.
Shift transmission into neutral while vibration is occurring; if vibration is eliminated, vibration is likely due to causes other than tire and wheel assemblies.

For brake vibrations, (Refer to BRAKES - BASE/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/ROTORS - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING) .

For powertrain vibrations, refer to DIFFERENTIAL & DRIVELINE - EXCEPT COUPE .

For tire and wheel assembly vibrations, continue with this diagnosis and testing procedure.