Last Updated: February 2026
If you've ever headed out after a New Hampshire snowstorm and suddenly felt your car shaking, vibrating, or wobbling — you're not alone. This is one of the most common winter issues we see at our Hooksett shop, especially after a heavy storm. The good news? It's usually an easy fix.
Here's what's actually going on, how to stop it, and when you should bring it in for a closer look.
Most Common Cause
Snow Packed Inside Your Wheels
When you drive through snow and slush, it gets thrown up inside your wheel and packs behind the spokes. Once temperatures drop, that slush freezes into a solid chunk of ice — sometimes weighing several pounds. That extra weight throws the wheel out of balance, and the whole car starts to shake.
It feels alarming, like something is seriously wrong. But in most cases, it's just frozen snow creating a temporary imbalance. We see this constantly at our shop right off Exit 11 on I-93 — customers drive in worried about a mechanical failure, and it turns out to be ice packed in the wheels.
Quick test: If the shaking started right after a snowstorm, changes with your speed, and is worst between 30–50 mph — it's almost certainly packed snow. Check behind the spokes of each wheel.
How to Tell
Signs the Shaking Is Caused by Snow
Not every vibration is snow-related. Here's how to tell if packed ice is likely the culprit:
- The shaking started immediately after a snowstorm or driving through heavy slush
- The vibration changes with your speed — typically worst between 30–50 mph
- You hear a light thumping or rhythmic sound at lower speeds
- The shaking improves after the car warms up or after a longer highway drive
- You can visually see packed snow or ice inside the wheel behind the spokes
If most of these match your situation, snow is almost certainly the cause.
DIY Fix
How to Fix It
You can usually stop the vibration yourself in a few minutes:
- Park safely on level ground and let the car cool enough to handle the wheels.
- Check the inside of each wheel. Look behind the spokes for packed snow or chunks of ice.
- Knock out any packed snow or ice carefully. A rubber mallet works well. Avoid metal tools that can scratch the wheel finish.
- Run warm (not boiling) water over the inside of the wheel to melt stubborn ice. Only do this if temperatures are above freezing — otherwise it'll refreeze.
- A trip through a car wash with undercarriage spray can help clear ice from hard-to-reach areas.
Once the wheels are clear, take it for a short drive. The shaking should be gone. If it's not — keep reading.
Beyond the Wheels
Other Winter Causes of Car Shaking
Packed snow in the wheels is the most common cause, but cold weather affects multiple systems on your vehicle:
Frozen Brake Components
Ice can form around brake calipers, rotors, and pads — especially if your car sits overnight after driving through slush. This causes uneven braking and a pulsing vibration when you press the brake pedal. The shaking typically goes away after a few stops as the brakes warm up and the ice melts. If it doesn't, the rotors may be warped and need to be inspected.
Suspension and Steering Stiffness
Extreme cold stiffens rubber bushings, shock absorbers, and struts. This can increase vibrations for the first few minutes of driving until everything warms up. Ice buildup around suspension components can also cause temporary misalignment, making the steering feel off. If the stiffness persists beyond the first 10–15 minutes, it may indicate worn components that need attention.
Tire Pressure Drops
For every 10°F drop in temperature, your tires lose about 1 PSI of pressure. After a cold snap, your tires could be significantly underinflated — causing poor traction, uneven ride quality, and vibration. Check your pressure against the recommended PSI on the sticker inside your driver's door (not the number on the tire sidewall). If you're not sure what your Audi or VW should be at, give us a call and we can look it up for you.
Flat Spots on Tires
When your car sits in one position during freezing temperatures, the section of tire touching the ground can develop a temporary flat spot. This causes a rhythmic thump when you first start driving. It usually resolves itself after 15–20 minutes of driving as the tires warm and regain their shape. If flat spots persist, the tires may need to be replaced.
Stay Ahead of It
How to Prevent Winter Shaking
A few simple habits can keep this from happening in the first place:
- Clear snow from your wheels after every storm. A quick kick to the tire or a spray of warm water goes a long way. Make it part of your snow-clearing routine.
- Check tire pressure regularly. Cold weather drops pressure fast. Keeping your tires at the manufacturer-recommended PSI reduces vibrations and prevents uneven wear.
- Park in a garage when possible. Staying out of the elements prevents ice from building up on wheels, brakes, and suspension overnight.
- Consider winter-grade wheel sealant. Applying a sealant to the inside of your wheels reduces snow adhesion, making ice easier to remove.
- Get an undercoating. Professional undercoating protects your vehicle's undercarriage from road salt corrosion — a must-have for anyone driving through New Hampshire winters. We see the damage salt does to brake lines, subframes, and exhaust systems every year.
Deeper Issues
When It's Not the Snow
If the shaking doesn't go away after cleaning the wheels and driving for a while, something else is going on. Common mechanical causes include:
- Wheels out of balance — a wheel weight may have fallen off, or the balance has shifted over time. Our Hunter balancer can pinpoint the issue precisely.
- Bent or damaged wheel — hitting a pothole or the edge of a snow bank can bend a rim, especially on low-profile tires common on Audis and VWs.
- Loose or worn suspension components — control arm bushings, tie rod ends, and ball joints wear over time. Cold weather can accelerate the symptoms.
- Tire damage — bulges, flat spots, or internal belt separation can all cause vibration that gets worse with speed.
- Warped brake rotors — if the shaking happens specifically when braking, the rotors may need to be resurfaced or replaced.
- Alignment issues — winter driving through ruts and potholes can knock your alignment off, causing pulling and uneven tire wear.
These are all things we diagnose regularly at Reflex Automotive. If you're not sure what's causing the vibration, bring it in — we'll do a digital inspection with photos and video so you can see exactly what we find.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common cause is snow and ice packed inside your wheels. When slush freezes behind the spokes, it throws the wheel out of balance and causes vibration — especially at highway speeds between 30–50 mph. Cleaning the ice out of the wheels usually fixes it immediately.
If the shaking is mild and caused by packed snow, it's generally safe to drive short distances at lower speeds. However, you should clear the ice from your wheels as soon as possible. Driving at highway speeds with unbalanced wheels puts extra stress on your tires, bearings, and suspension. If the vibration is severe or doesn't improve after clearing the wheels, have it inspected before driving further.
Park on level ground and check behind the spokes of each wheel. Knock out chunks of ice carefully with a rubber mallet or your hand. You can run warm (not boiling) water over the wheel to melt stubborn ice when temperatures are above freezing. A car wash with undercarriage spray also works well.
The vibration from packed snow is temporary and won't cause damage if you clear it promptly. However, prolonged driving on unbalanced wheels can accelerate tire wear and stress suspension components. Road salt is the bigger long-term threat — it corrodes brake lines, subframes, and exhaust systems. An undercoating treatment is the best protection against salt damage in New Hampshire.
If vibration persists after clearing all ice from the wheels, the cause is likely mechanical: a wheel that's out of balance, a bent rim, worn suspension components, tire damage, or warped brake rotors. These issues require professional diagnosis. At Reflex Automotive in Hooksett, we can pinpoint the cause with a thorough inspection and let you know exactly what's needed.
Yes — tire pressure drops approximately 1 PSI for every 10°F decrease in temperature. After a cold snap, your tires may be several PSI below the recommended level, which causes poor handling and vibration. Check your pressure regularly in winter and fill to the manufacturer-recommended PSI listed on the sticker inside your driver's door jamb.
No. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, you have the right to service your vehicle at any qualified shop without voiding your factory warranty. At Reflex Automotive, we use OEM parts and follow factory service procedures for Audi, VW, and all makes — and back everything with a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty.
Still Shaking? We'll Find It.
Whether it's packed snow or something deeper, our team at Reflex Automotive in Hooksett has the tools and experience to diagnose it fast. Every visit includes a digital inspection with photos and video — so you always know exactly what's going on with your car.
