Proper wheel alignment will not only improve your vehicle’s
performance and safety, it will extend the life of your tires. So
how do you know when it’s time to bring your vehicle in for a
four-wheel alignment or front-end alignment? The short answer is to
“listen” to your vehicle – there are several common warning signs
that it’s time for service.
Drifting or pulling
Perhaps the most obvious signal that you need an alignment is if your vehicle is pulling to one side of the road. If you are driving on a straight and flat surface and briefly let go of the steering wheel, does your vehicle want to drift to the left or right? Do you have to constantly steer in the opposite direction to keep the vehicle driving straight? These are classic symptoms that the wheels are out of alignment. If the drifting is only slight and towards the shoulder, it may simply be that the roads are sloped, which is common, and there may be nothing wrong with your alignment.
Steering wheel is off-center
Have you ever been confused as to why your steering wheel is at an odd angle? It almost seems as if you are slowly turning in one direction. Ironically this can result from just having a front-end alignment and not a four-wheel alignment. During a front-end alignment, a technician will adjust your front tie rods to whatever degree necessary to remove any pull on the steering wheel. In the course of doing so, this may change the position of the wheels relative to the steering column just to keep them pointed in the same direction as the rear tires. While this may resolve a directional pull, it could be creating an issue of “off-tracking” or “dog-tracking”. Imagine your car traveling down the road at a slight sideways angle. This is another dangerous situation as it alters your vehicle’s performance and handling characteristics. Furthermore, it will reduce your fuel economy with the additional drag and wind resistance.
The simplest way to correct this issue is to have a four-wheel alignment done. Since this is often a problem with the rear wheel angle, that needs to be adjusted first. Once the rear wheels are pointed perfectly straight, they’ll adjust the front tie rods to get the wheels straight in line with the rear tires. This should reset the steering wheel back to its normal and centered position.
Vibrating steering wheel
If your steering wheel vibrates when you are driving, this can be another indication that your wheels are out of alignment. The vibration can sometimes be caused by your wheels having been knocked out of alignment, for example it could be the result of hitting a pothole or a curb. The vibration may be a precursor to a bigger, more serious problem, so get it checked out before it gets worse.
Loose steering
If your steering feels kind of loose or wanders a little around the road, this can be another sign of a wheel alignment issue. Your car should have a relatively direct feel and response to the direction that you steer it. If you feel you are turning the wheel often with very little tire movement, you should have the alignment checked out.
Uneven tire wear
If your wheels are out of alignment, you may notice uneven tread wear. You may or may not experience other driving symptoms, but if you visually inspect your tires – you may see signs that your tires are not properly aligned. A good way to check is by measuring the tread depth in a few areas of each tire. If the wheels are aligned properly they will all be the same, but if there is a discrepancy, you may have a wheel alignment issue.
Tire alignment is not a situation that you want to take lightly. While it may seem like a minor inconvenience, if you find yourself in an emergency situation or have to make a sharp turn at high speeds, your alignment and the response of your vehicle can play a critical role in avoiding a collision. If you are unsure about your car’s alignment or the safety of your vehicle, please feel free to contact us and have it checked out.