Why does my steering wheel vibrate, and what can I check myself?

Observe first

Only when braking: most likely brake discs (thickness variation, hot spots).

At a certain speed band (often 80–120 km/h), fading above and below: most likely wheel balance or a tyre defect.

At all speeds, growing with speed: a bent rim, a tyre with a separated belt, or a worn component.

When accelerating but not when coasting: drivetrain — drive shafts, CV joints, mounts.

Only when turning: CV joints, wheel bearings or steering components.

What you can check safely

Tyre pressures, cold, against the placard.

Sidewalls and tread: bulges, cuts, flat spots, uneven wear. Run a hand carefully over the tread (car parked) — a scalloped or feathered feel means suspension or alignment issues.

Inside the rim barrel: sand and mud packed after desert or construction-area driving unbalance a wheel exactly like a missing weight.

Balance weights: clip-on or stick-on weights that are missing leave a clean mark where they were.

Wheel bolts: after recent tyre work, a wheel not torqued properly can cause vibration — have it checked immediately.

Reading tyre wear

Both shoulders worn: under-inflation. Centre worn: over-inflation. One shoulder worn: camber or toe. Feathered edges across the tread: toe. Cupped, patchy wear: worn dampers or balance problems.

When to stop driving

A sudden new vibration, a bulge on a sidewall, a wheel that feels loose, or vibration with a burning smell or noise from one wheel: stop and have the car inspected before continuing.