We always expect our vehicles to get us from points A to B in one piece, to make every last drop of fuel count, and to run smoothly at all times. This is probably why we get into such a panic when we feel something irregular like a steering wheel shaking. We immediately wonder if it’s really that bad, if it can be fixed, and if it’ll be expensive. If your steering wheel shakes when you drive, it could be due to one of the following reasons.

Tires

Tires that are out of balance will inevitably cause your steering wheel to shake and wobble. If your tires have different pressures or worn out treads, there’s a big chance they’re unbalanced. Keep in mind that the faster you drive on unbalanced tires, the more shaking you’ll feel.

Brakes

If you try to slow down with malfunctioning brakes, you may feel strong vibrations moving up the steering wheel. These malfunctions could potentially mean your brake pads are worn out or your rotors are malfunctioning. Whatever the case, it’s extremely important that you get them checked to avoid further problems.

Wheels

Your wheel bearings should last years but will eventually wear out or get damaged. If this occurs, you’ll experience some shakiness in your steering wheel. If your vehicle shakes while driving in a straight line, it could potentially mean your ball joints are faulty.

The Axle

Although somewhat uncommon, there’s a chance your axle could be bent or damaged, especially if you’ve been in a car accident recently. If your car abruptly jerks to either side, your driveshaft may be broken. If you spot these problems, stop driving immediately and get your car looked at.

Engine

Your engine could potentially cause vibrations if it’s malfunctioning. It’s important to note that, even if this is the cause, you’ll likely feel the shaking throughout the entire vehicle. If you suspect your engine may be failing, it could potentially be issues with fuel delivery or air induction.

3 Great Ways to Care for an Old Car After You’ve Purchased a
New One

Has the time come to purchase a new car? Is the one you currently have already showing signs that it’ll come to a permanent halt soon? If so, then you’re probably scouring the market for a new one. How exciting! However, if you’re the type of person who just can’t part ways with your old one out of sentimentality, then you should know that there are a few ways you can take care of it.

Keep it Covered

This goes without saying, but it’s best to keep your older model vehicle covered with a tarp or soft-fabric cover and indoors in a garage if possible. The one thing you don’t want to do is keep it outdoors all the time uncovered since rust might result. Another thing to do is wash it often if you’re going to keep it outdoors. And also be sure
to prevent sunlight from always shining into the car since long-term exposure can cause damage to the upholstery and dashboard.

Check Up on It

Not many people may know this but the longer you go without driving a car, the faster it will run into problems. These problems can include poor performance, flat tires, etc. Be sure and run routine maintenance on the car at least once a month. Also, be sure to drive it around for about 15 to 20 minutes so that the battery doesn’t lose charge.

Keep it Clean

Going off of what we said earlier, if your car will remain outdoors, wash it periodically, even if you keep it covered with a tarp or sheet. Even if it’s covered, it can still collect dust and other particles that can harm the paint job. Even a simple rinsing can help if you’re not really in the mood to bring out the buckets and bottles of soap.

A Closer Look at 5 Not-So-Common Driving Myths

As a driver, you’ve probably heard a few myths. We’ve all heard the same ones, but there are some out there that are so rare that they can actually sound believable. Check out some
uncommon driving myths below.

Myth 1: Hands-Free Headsets Don’t Cause Distractions

Texting, calling, eating, and messing with the radio are some common distractions we’re all familiar with. You might be thinking that as long as your eyes are on the road, you’re free of distractions, right? Wrong! Seeing and hearing are two essential senses for safe driving, so if
you happen to limit your hearing with a hands-free headset, for example, you might not be able to hear cars honking around you, leaving you vulnerable to a wreck.

Myth 2: The Two and 10 O’clock Rule is Best

Every person learning to drive has heard that you need to keep your hands at the two and 10 o’clock positions on a steering wheel. However, this can lead to broken bones if an airbag is deployed. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the three and 9
o’clock method is the safest to use.

Myth 3: 5 Miles Over the Speed Limit is Okay

Anything over the listed speed limit is considered speeding, even if you’re going one mile over! Sure, many police allow driving a few miles over the limit, but don’t always count on that. Luckily, you can avoid a speeding ticket all together by simply driving the limit.

Myth 4: Premium Gasoline is the Best

If you purchase premium gasoline every now and then, your car will run better, right? The truth is that all gas grades include cleaners for fuel injectors as per the Environmental Protection Agency. On the other hand, if your car was specifically designed for premium gas, then you
should definitely stick to it.

Myth 5: Red Cars Are More Likely to be Ticketed

This myth may have kept many individuals from purchasing red cars (for whatever reason), but the truth is that law enforcement is no more inclined to pull over a red car than any other colored vehicle. Simply put, if you commit an infraction, you’ll get pulled over. It doesn’t matter what your car’s color is.

Is your child ready to get behind the wheel? While this proud parenting moment is a great one, it’s important for your child to know the driver’s license process in your state. It may not be as simple as you think, but Pronto is here to help you and your child fully
understand!

A Learner’s License

The first thing your child will need is a learner’s license. They must be at least 15 years old and accompanied by a parent to a driver’s exam office. You’ll need to bring a copy of their birth certificate, U.S. passport, and/or any other applicable documents with their
social security number, name, and age.

A written driver’s knowledge test, a sign recognition test, and a vision test will be needed to earn a learner’s license. Remember, your teen must then enroll in a driver’s education course and can only drive with a passenger over 21 years old.

A Provisional License

When your teen turns 16, has had a learner license for at least six months, and has completed 30 hours of practice driving (including 10 hours of night driving), they may apply for a provisional license. This means successfully completing a behind-the-wheel driving test and a state-certified driver’s education course. After getting a provisional
license, your teen must abide by certain restrictions:

 Transporting no more than one person under the age of 21 who isn’t a family
member.
 Only driving between midnight and 5:00 AM with a driver’s licensed parent or
guardian for employment, educational purposes, or for an emergency.
 Not using electronic communications while driving.
 Ensuring that all passengers wear a seatbelt.
 Abiding by the state’s ZERO Tolerance Law.

A Full License

At 18, your teen will be eligible for an unrestricted license. Other than their learner’s license, all other licenses issued before the age of 18 will be marked as “provisional.” At this point, your teen will be allowed to drive like the rest of us.