[Electric Sleigh]

I need some opinions: I just noticed this week that my 2014 Volt with 1700 miles on it is starting to shake in the rear (I believe) when I am above 35 MPH. I have not brought it in to the dealer yet and I plan to make an appointment this week.
I live in Wisconsin and there is snow with some ice frozen to the rim. I have heard that the rims/tires together weigh very little.
Some of my thoughts are that one or more tires are out of balance because of the ice on the rim. Or, being so new, I have a loose suspension component. Another option is that one of the so many pot holes in Wisconsin ruined one of the fragile one-ply tires.

However, I am writing to this forum to ask if any of you have heard other reports of Volts with loose rear suspension components, out of balance wheels or other problems causing shaking to come from the rear of the car?

 

[Loboc]

Shaking/vibration in a new car is almost always tires/wheels. Put it in a heated garage overnight and the ice will melt. (most likely cause). Or there is a bent wheel or bad tire.

I wouldn't call Volt's wheel/tire combination any more 'fragile' than other cars. Once you get to 40's , 30's etc. there is much less tire before the rim gets hit.

 

[BAZINGA]

Shaking/vibration in a new car is almost always tires/wheels. Put it in a heated garage overnight and the ice will melt. (most likely cause). Or there is a bent wheel or bad tire.

I wouldn't call Volt's wheel/tire combination any more 'fragile' than other cars. Once you get to 40's , 30's etc. there is much less tire before the rim gets hit.

I agree, as a Cheese Head myself frozen snow/slush/ice cause out of balance conditions all the time. Maybe the OP is a transplant from Florida ha ha

 

[OlderThanDirt]

With the weather we have been having here you have snow in the rims. It can build up while driving and to a lesser degree from drifting snow. Conditions have been about perfect on both accounts lately. If you get any melting some of the snow falls to the bottom of rim and your out of balance. With the light rims and tires is doesn't seem to take a much to notice an out of balance condition either from snow or even losing a partial wheel weight.

I'm on the roads before the plows generally run in the morning so I've seen it a few times ;-). I found a nice small stiff bristle brush to clean it out when it occurs. Be careful of the wheel weights though.

The airflow though the wheel when turning seems to be pretty neutral for efficiency so it doesn't blow out it seems. Happens on other cars to but the Volt so darn smooth otherwise it can be very noticeable to some of us. Including myself

And welcome to the Northeastern Wisconsin Volt Family!!!!!

 

[beanjapan]

Just use a scraper and get the ice off your wheels. Only the inside of the rims. Everything else shouldn't really matter.

You could also visit your local power wash car wash and spray the rims off

 

[deekster_caddy]

Snow/Ice buildup inside the rims will absolutely cause an out-of-balance situation and is most likely what you are feeling based on the speed you described. If you have an enclosed car wash nearby that would probably take care of it. (make sure it dries good so the doors don't freeze shut, etc)

If you do go into the rim with an ice scraper (easy access, lots of room there) be careful not to pop the stick-on weights off.

 

[Fyodor]

I agree, as a Cheese Head myself frozen snow/slush/ice cause out of balance conditions all the time. Maybe the OP is a transplant from Florida ha ha

No Cheese Head, I'm a Bluenose, but this is a problem wherever you get slush freezing onto the rims. That's why I use steelies for my winter tires, the smoother surfaces don't hold the ice.

 

[Fulgerite]

"Snow?" What is this "snow" you speak of? Says, the Californian. ;-)

Stay warm my friends.

 

[Fyodor]

"Snow?" What is this "snow" you speak of? Says, the Californian. ;-)

Stay warm my friends.

It's kind of like frozen rain - oh, never mind, you don't get that either.