Four Signs Your Car Needs Wheel Alignment
Modern car engineering technology creates vehicles that require minimal effort to control unless the car has a problem. Typically, tire misalignment occurs due to uneven tire inflation and past accidents. One of the most common problems in wheel misalignment is safety risks. For instance, a misaligned car can lose control quickly, resulting in an accident, which can cause bodily injuries and vehicle damage. Therefore, you need to correct the wheel misalignment fast to reduce such risks. Here are the signs that your vehicle needs an alignment.
1. Off-centered steering wheel
When driving on a level road, your steering wheel should sit in a straight position. A small allowance is usually given depending on the road's crowning level. Additionally, the steering should assume the center position after navigating a turn with little effort. However, if your steering wheel attains an off-center position, that's a sign that you need an alignment. Tire alignments correct the steering wheel's position and improve the driving experience.
2. One-sided car inclination
You can notice vehicle pull when driving on a flat road. There's a common misunderstanding that your car should maintain a perfectly straight path when driving on a level road without controlling the steering wheel. However, this isn't true because the degree of the road's crowning slightly pulls your car in one direction. Instead, your car should remain on a straight path with minimal effort to control the steering wheel. In this case, your car needs tire alignments if the vehicle inclines towards one side.
3. Continuous Vibration
Another sign that your vehicle needs wheel alignment is vibration. Typically, poor alignment can cause the vibration of the steering wheel. The steering wheel may repeatedly vibrate, which can be irritating, and you can also lose control easily. The vibrations usually occur if your car tires pull against each other, with each tire trying to steer the vehicle in a separate direction.
4. Uneven tire wear
The pattern of your tire wear can inform an auto service expert about the tire pressure and your car's suspension condition. If your car tires only wear out on the edges, that could be a sign of irregular camber adjustment, while tire feathering indicates toe adjustment problems. Your car needs tire alignment to increase the longevity of your tires and ensure your vehicle's stability.
The signs that your vehicle needs tire alignments include one-sided car inclination, the vibration of the steering wheel, uneven tire wear, and an off-centered steering wheel. Contact an auto service expert when you see these indicators to perform a proper alignment.