The last thing you want is for your car not to feel right when you get behind the wheel as you hit the open road for your family vacation or rush to work after waking up late. This could happen for a number of reasons, and one of the more common ones is a tire misalignment. If you think your car needs a wheel alignment, these warning signs will help you determine the root cause of your issues.
Steering Wheel Isn’t Centered
One of the first things people notice when dealing with a misalignment is their steering wheel isn’t centered when driving straight. Some steering wheels might have very slight variations to the center point, but it isn’t a good sign if your wheel noticeably tilts in one direction or the other. A professional should check it out if it’s any more than three degrees off-center.
Car Pulls to the Left or Right
A problem that typically comes after experiencing an off-center steering wheel is your car pulling to the left or right while driving. This is a clearer sign that your tires are out of alignment.
It’s easy to mistake this issue for changes in road conditions. Many roads aren’t perfectly flat, which will cause your car to drift slightly one way or another. Plus, strong winds can push your vehicle while driving. In order to determine that your car is the issue, you need to test the handling in a flat, controlled environment.
You Hear Exessive Noise
Misaligned wheels will also make a lot of noise, as they aren’t coming into contact with the road correctly. Some people report their tires making a squealing noise during their normal driving routine. In some cases, the steering wheel might even make some strange sounds. Either way, you should take your car to a professional for a checkup.
Your Tires Seem Abnormally Worn
You might not experience any of the normal warning signs that your car needs a wheel alignment. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not due for one. By checking the wear and tear of your tires, you might be able to detect a misalignment.
This is fairly easy to determine because a misaligned tire will wear abnormally. Typically, that means one edge of the tire will be more worn down than the other. If you ever notice this, you should take your vehicle to a professional for a standard 4-wheel alignment. That way, you don’t ruin the integrity of your tires, forcing you to buy new ones.
