How Do I Stop My Car Vents From Moving? (Solved)

Folding paper or thick material and placing it between the vent and the dashboard is the quickest and easiest way to prevent your phone from moving.

How can you tell if your car air vent is broken? How can you effectively fix a broken car air vent?

Keep read find out how!

Here’s How You Can Stop Your Car Vents From Moving

The repair method can be relatively simple, depending on the cause of the vent’s shaking. The most common cause is a simple shake caused by the air moving through the ducts. This can be solved by placing material in the vent near the bottom. However, if the shaking is heavy and erratic, you should bring your car in for servicing.

Table Of Contents

Here's How You Can Stop Your Car Vents From Moving
- Is it a Bad Idea to Keep Your Phone on the Car Vents?
What Causes a Car Vent to Become Loose Or Move?
Is It Normal For Car Vents To Make Noise?
How Do You Fix a Car Vent That Is Loose And Shaking?
How To Fix A Dislodged Car Vent?
Can You Replace A Vent?
How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Car Vent?
Closing Thoughts
Sources

Car ventilation pulls air through the duct system into the car’s cabin.

There are usually at least two car filters in the heater and air conditioning ducts.

However, many modern cars also have separate filters inside each air vent.

Since the vents pull air into the cabin, it’s normal to experience mild shaking as the air moves. Additionally, your car is less smooth of an environment than your home or other places. Thus, you can expect small jiggles and movements.

People often use car phone mounts and clip air fresheners directly on their vents. The jiggling and movement can be annoying since they can dislodge these clips while you’re driving.

This can be easily fixed by placing some material in the bottom of the vent.

When you add some materials to your car vents, it can help decrease the vibration. Some of the best options include:

Putty
Cotton rags
Mesh
Nylon

The most effective way to use this system is to place the material of choice directly below the mount. This will help absorb some of the movement and hopefully keep your phone or air freshener from falling.

However, shaking and rattling can indicate an issue with your car’s internal system.

To identify how to repair your climate controls, pay attention to where the shaking originates. Also, consider how intense the shaking is since it could indicate a larger issue with your climate control and engine.

A dislodged or cracked engine mount is one of the most severe causes of shaking. Your engine mount holds your car’s engine in place and prevents it from getting damaged while the car is moving.

If this becomes cracked or broken, it could permanently harm your engine. However, it can also be caused by other issues with your vehicle, including:

Damaged AC compressor
Broken or damaged spark plugs
Dirty climate system
Old or dirty air filters
Misfiring pistons

Most of these issues require regular cleaning and maintenance to prevent them. If you regularly have your car serviced, you should be alright. But if you feel your car shaking despite regular maintenance, you should have it checked out!

Related:

Is it a Bad Idea to Keep Your Phone on the Car Vents?

Using an iPhone or Samsung phone vent clip is not necessarily a bad idea. However, if you have the climate controls and they blow on the phone, it can damage the battery. Additionally, some experts suggest the phone position may be distracting for drivers.

Some cars allow you to turn off single vents. If your car has this option, then you should activate this as soon as possible. The heating and A/C blowing directly on the phone can damage its internal workings.

Some prefer to use a windshield mount. This is a great idea unless you reside in a State that outlaws phone mounts on the windshield.

What Causes a Car Vent to Become Loose Or Move?

A broken piece inside the vent is the primary cause of your car vents becoming loose and moving. These parts are typically small pieces on the ends of the vents that connect to the ends of the slot they rest in. These parts differ from car to car, but they’re usually slim and easily broken if forced or pushed.

Most car vents are made from plastic or a plastic by-product. This can become brittle and break over long periods of time.

Therefore, you’re more likely to experience broken parts on your car vents if your car is older.

Other things can cause them to break, though. These include:

Prolonged sun exposure
Rough handling
Harsh chemicals

To prolong the life of the plastic parts inside your car, you should get a sun deflector. Or, you can regularly park in the shade or in a garage.

Is It Normal For Car Vents To Make Noise?

The only noise your car vents should make is a low hum from the wind passing through the vent. If you ea rattling or loud clunking noises, it could indicate a serious issue. However, it can also indicate the presence of a small object trapped in the ductwork.

Some rattling noises inside your car vent can be caused by common mechanical issues, including:

Broken or malfunctioning pulley belt
Compressor failing
Excess stress on the car’s system when the climate controls are engaged
Blower motor

Sometimes these noises can be caused by worn-out systems. As climate control increases the drag on these worn-down systems, they can exhibit loud rattling noises. A professional must inspect most of these systems to be repaired.

However, rattling noises can also indicate something has fallen inside your car’s ductwork. It could be excess dirt and sand from a dirty filter. Or, it can be plastic, tree nuts, or other street debris that’s become lodged in your car’s systems.

How Do You Fix a Car Vent That Is Loose And Shaking?

The best way to repair a car vent that’s become loose is to remove it and place a seal on the end. Rubber seals are the best option since they easily slip over the edge and create a strong adhesive. Other methods include cleaning the vent or placing folded paper or material underneath between the vent and the dashboard.

One of the most common solutions to a shaky or moved air vent is to place paper underneath the vent. This is especially good for fixing the usual shifty movement of the air entering the car cabin.

These movements are standard for cars, and the best way to fix the issue is to alleviate it.

Alternatively, you can repair the seal if your car vent has become loosened. Try to shake your car vent with your hand to check if it is broken or loose. If they move significantly or fail to remain in a set position, there might be a broken part inside.

The below YouTube video demonstrates how to fix the ends of the vent to prevent them from shaking and moving. You can use a plastic or rubber tip to the edge of the vent to hold the vent in place.

You can remove your car vent with a screwdriver or wrench to check if any parts are broken. This is the safest method since it’s unlikely to break or damage the vent.

Alternatively, you may need a mechanic if your vent is severely broken!

How To Fix A Dislodged Car Vent?

To fix a dislodged car vent, you must first remove your old vent. Next, you should either repair the broken parts or replace the whole vent. Finally, clean the vents before replacing the new ones to ensure no debris prevents the vent from connecting properly.

When a car vent gets dislodged, it disconnects from the internal walls of the vents. Replacing a dislodged vent is fairly simple and requires only basic tools and a replacement vent.

Use the following steps to remove and replace your car air vents:

Use a wrench or screwdriver to remove the old vent (unless the vent has already fallen out)
Use a wipe to clean the rim where the vent rests
Check to see if the vent can be repaired
If not, purchase a replacement
Re-insert it in the holding spot and push it until it locks in place

Can You Replace A Vent?

You can replace a car vent, but you must ensure you find a replacement that’s the right size. You can try finding the right replacement part directly from the dealership, but this might be difficult if you have an old car. You might be able to buy a replacement part from a scrap yard or find one that’s close in size.

How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Car Vent?

Replacing a car vent yourself is cheap and takes only a few minutes. You can find most replacement vents at the store for $15-$20.00. However, if you choose to use a mechanic, you can expect to pay much more.

Depending on the issue, fixing your car vent can be fairly easy and affordable. However, if the issue is with your car’s engine or climate system, you should take it to a mechanic.

But if your vent is the only part broken, we recommend fixing it yourself.

Closing Thoughts

Your car’s climate controls are an important part of your health and the well-being of your car. Keeping your car’s vents clean and repaired will help enhance your health and prolong your car’s lifespan.

We hope this article helped you decide how to optimize your car’s air vent! The good news is a broken air vent doesn’t have to be a big deal. It’s easily and cheaply replaced!