What can cause a vehicle to have a "floaty" feeling while driving?

A "floaty" feeling while driving is most commonly associated with worn or malfunctioning shocks or struts. Shocks and struts play a crucial role in maintaining vehicle stability, controlling how the vehicle absorbs bumps in the road, and ensuring that the tires remain in contact with the ground. When these components are worn out, they can fail to adequately dampen the movement of the vehicle, leading to excessive body sway and a sensation of floating or lack of control, especially during turns or when navigating uneven surfaces.

In contrast, while factors like newly installed tires, improper tire inflation, and excessive weight in the trunk can affect the handling characteristics of a vehicle, they do not typically produce the same "floaty" sensation associated with failing shocks or struts. New tires may be stiffer or have different handling characteristics initially, and incorrect tire pressure can lead to a harsher ride or uneven tire wear but do not create the floating sensation attributed to poor shock performance. Likewise, excessive weight in the trunk may affect weight distribution and handling, but it does not compromise the dampening function of the suspension system like degraded shocks or struts do.