Here's How You Can Tell Your Car Needs Wheel Alignment

If your car is making a funny noise, read through my blog. You might find that I have already experienced that sound and provided you a solution to the problem.

Here's How You Can Tell Your Car Needs Wheel Alignment

27 December 2022
 Categories: , Blog


Your vehicle's wheels can fall out of alignment for various reasons. For instance, driving over large potholes, speed bumps, or curbs can knock the wheels and tires out of alignment, especially at high speeds. If left unresolved, misaligned wheels will affect your vehicle's fuel efficiency and cause the tires to wear out faster. Besides that, tire misalignment has a significant impact on the vehicle's handling. These issues will leave you with costly repair bills if not fixed promptly. As such, learning the indicators of wheel misalignment is crucial. Take a look at some of the common tell-tale signs.

Vehicle Pulling

This is one of the most obvious signs of wheels that are out of alignment. If your vehicle appears to pull to one side of the road when driving, you may need to take it for alignment. You will mostly notice this issue when driving down a straight road. In such a scenario, you will struggle to keep the car going straight unless you maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel. In fact, the car can start veering off into other lanes. And the longer you wait to fix the problem, the harder it will be to drive straight.

Loose Steering Wheel

Misaligned wheels can also cause loose steering. Therefore, taking your car for a wheel inspection is prudent if the steering wheel is suddenly sloppy or loose. Remember that operating a loose steering wheel can be dangerous. That's because the poor or reduced response can make it difficult to control the car in risky situations. However, it's worth noting that your power steering wheel could also be the culprit. So contact your mechanic for a proper diagnosis of the problem. 

Vibrating Steering Wheel

You may experience vibrations in your steering wheel when driving down rough or poorly maintained roads. However, excessive vibrations when driving on a straight and even road could be a sign of misaligned wheels. Usually, the vibrations occur as the wheels pull against each other. Like a loose steering wheel, a vibrating steering wheel could indicate several underlying issues, such as unbalanced tires. Again, you must take the car to a professional to determine the specific issue.

Uneven Tire Wear

Are your tires wearing out unevenly? A misalignment of the wheels could be the culprit. Generally, car tires should wear out evenly. Therefore, inspect your tires periodically and talk to your auto mechanic if you notice abnormal wear patterns.

Being on the lookout for these signs can go a long way in preventing severe wheel alignment issues. And since some of the abovementioned signs could indicate other vehicle problems, you should visit an auto shop for comprehensive checks. Your mechanic will unearth the underlying issues and fix them accordingly. Visit local services' websites, such as https://www.eastbaytire.com, to learn more.

About Me
what to car sounds mean?

I have an older car that is constantly in the shop. Yes, this car does cost me a bit each year to keep on the road, but what I pay in repairs is much less than what I would pay to buy a new car. I have learned a lot over the years of driving this car. I have found out what just about any sound means and what it takes to make those repairs. If your car is making a funny noise or two, take a minute to read through my blog. You might find that I have already experienced that sound and have provided you a solution to the problem.