A mechanic has a really simple solution for people noticing their car shaking at 50mph. Look for unequal snow on each side of your car, and make sure there’s none if you’re driving down the road.

TikTok user Cole Lochtefeld (@19lochtefeld) offered a really simple thing to check for anyone currently living in inclement weather who is having steering or motor issues—check beforehand to see if there’s any snow where it shouldn’t be. He posted a video, which as of this week has 8.4 million views, explaining that a small amount of snow inside the wheel of a vehicle was causing hefty issues for his client. 

Can Snow Really Make a Vehicle Shake?

Snow can have disastrous effects for car owners. For one, additional snow can cause rust and deterioration for vehicles left out in inclement weather conditions. 

But, there’s also the fact that snow has weight. Heavy snow can weigh 10 to 20 pounds per cubic foot according to measuringly.com. That means that any amount of packed snow stuck around a vehicle can affect the way that it moves. 

In some areas, a car’s heat, friction from the wheels, or other factors cannot melt slush stuck on the rims of tires. Depending on how densely packed the snow is and how cold the weather is, it may end up getting stuck to a vehicle’s wheels. That makes the vehicle drive unevenly, as there’s unequal weight on each side. 

An easy solution is to take a shaking vehicle to the car wash for a quick run through. Usually, this can help melt away a bit more slush. If that doesn’t work, examining the tires for packed on snow or slush is worthwhile before bringing it to a mechanic. 

What Are Other Reasons a Vehicle Might Shake at 50 Mph?

Most vehicles that shake while driving at 50 mph do so because of tire or alignment issues. Damaged wheels, loose lug nuts, and old tires can all contribute to a vehicle shaking. Generally, any tire with uneven tread or irregularities may cause significant vehicle issues. 

Car owners should rotate their tires every 5,000-7,000 miles to ensure they’re safe for the road.

What Happens if You Continue Driving a Car With Alignment Issues?

If a car owner continues driving a vehicle past that 7,000 mile marker, it can cause poor alignment. That can shake the vehicle, which is incredibly annoying for drivers. But, it also can cause significant damage if ignored. 

Misalignment can cause additional wear and tear on tires. If a car owner chooses not to align their tires, they may end up paying for replacements much sooner than they normally would. Additionally, it’s harder to handle a vehicle with improper alignment, which can cause accidents. 

We’ve reached out to Lochtefeld via TikTok direct message for comment. We’ll let you know if he responds.

@19lochtefeld #customerstates #customersbelike #customerservice #customer #mechanic ♬ Mechanic – Gmac cash