You’ve probably heard about how misalignment of the wheels is bad for your car and your tires, but how does it happen, and how do you know when to bring your car in? Wheels most commonly get out of alignment when sustaining a heavy impact like in a car accident or hitting a pothole. This causes damage to the suspension, which makes the wheels tilt at wrong angles. We see a lot of misaligned wheels during the spring as drivers hit potholes, but how do you know when your wheels are out of alignment?
Your steering wheel is crooked when driving straight.
This sign is an easy one to spot—if you’re driving straight and you have to tilt the wheel to one side to continue going straight, there’s definitely an alignment issue.
Your car drifts to one side when driving.
This is another easy test to see if your wheels are misaligned. On a clear, empty road, let go of the steering wheel for just a second or two. If your vehicle starts pulling off to the side, you need an alignment.
Tires are wearing unevenly.
Uneven tire wear can be due to a couple of different factors, but it’s a common sign of wheel misalignment. Tires that have excessive wear on the edges show that the wheels are tilting in a certain direction.
Your steering wheel vibrates.
When the wheels are positioned at the incorrect angle, the steering wheel can shake or vibrate. Steering wheel vibrations can be a sign of various problems, however, so it’s best to take your car to a mechanic to find out the exact cause of the shaking.
The tires are squealing.
If the wheels are out of alignment, the tires are being dragged rather than rolling smoothly. This leads to uneven tire wear, which then results in that squealing or squeaking sound.
Even if you don’t hit a major pothole or get in an accident, smaller impacts can do damage over time. That rough road you take every day that’s ridden with small potholes can cause the same amount of wear and tear. It’s also a good idea to get a wheel alignment when you get new tires put on your vehicle to ensure that you’re getting the most mileage out of them.
Auto Works has been the place your neighbors trust since 1993. If you suspect your wheels are misaligned, call us or schedule an appointment on our website.
