Unless you've splurged on a massaging seat cushion to keep you comfortable on long drives, you don't want to notice any vibration while you're behind the wheel. This issue, along with more serious shaking, often indicates a problem that you should fix as soon as possible.

A variety of issues can cause vibration in a vehicle. You might feel it through the steering wheel, or the entire vehicle could be shaking. Finding the source of this problem and remedying it is always a good idea, as it will help prevent unnecessary stress on your vehicle's parts.

Vibration is usually the result of a problem with the tires or steering. Paul Weissler, writing for Popular Mechanics, says balancing your wheels will often resolve the issue. If a wheel weight has been dislodged or if it has been a long time since your tires have been balanced, the weight distribution will be off and vibration or shaking will result.

Regularly balancing your wheels can help prevent vibration from occurring. Tom Moor, writing for Angie's List, says a tire balance is an inexpensive job that should be done once a year.

Your tires may also be causing vibration if they are not in good shape. Check the tread to see if the tires are wearing unevenly or if there are any noticeable problems, such as bulges in the sidewall. Rotating the tires every 5,000 miles or so will help keep even wear on the tires, reducing the chance of vibration.

Issues related to the steering and suspension may also be the reason for the vibration. Matthew Wright, writing for About, says wear or displacement in parts like the ball joints, shock absorbers, struts, strut bearings, and tie rods can all lead to vibration.

If the problem is related to your wheels or suspension, you'll feel the vibration in the steering wheel. It may become more noticeable as you increase your speed. Severe shaking at speed is cause for concern, as it will make the vehicle more difficult to control.

One way to isolate the problem is to test the vehicle while it is not moving. The AGCO Automotive Corporation of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, says you can put the vehicle in park or neutral, apply the brake, and accelerate up to the RPM where the vibration usually occurs. If it does not occur when the vehicle is not moving, it is related to the suspension or driveline; if it still occurs, it is related to the engine.

Erratic changes in the RPM display that accompany the vibration typically indicate a problem in the fuel system. A misfiring engine may be the result of worn spark plugs, which usually trigger the "check engine" light.

Vibration will also occur if the engine itself is not mounted correctly. Wright says worn or inadequate mounting will cause the engine to move around, and tends to create vibration at a low RPM.

Other engine problems that can cause vibration include loose or disconnected hoses, a dirty transmission filter, or low transmission fluid. These issues tend to cause vibration during acceleration.

If your vehicle has four-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive, the driveshaft may be the culprit. The AGCO Automotive Corporation says vibration will occur if the driveshaft is angled incorrectly or has a tight universal joint.

Naturally, vibration that occurs as you are coming to a stop is related to the brakes. Moor says this problem tends to stem from warped brake rotors, which occur when the brake pads wear down and metal-on-metal contact occurs.