Misaligned tires are a severe issue that can happen to any vehicle. While it may seem like an inconvenience more than a problem, tires that aren’t aligned correctly will wear unevenly and make a car much more difficult to control. So, how do you know if you need a wheel alignment? To keep your car running smoothly, explore these five important signs your vehicle needs a wheel alignment.
#1 The Steering Wheel is Off-Center
One of the fastest ways to diagnose off-center wheels is via the steering wheel. Correctly aligned tires will allow the wheel to center and appear in the normal position. When tires are not aligned, it’s common for a steering wheel to maintain a slight tilt, even when the vehicle travels straight. Attempting to adjust back into the centered position will cause the car to turn slightly in one direction, which indicates an alignment issue.
#2 The Car Pulls To One Side
Of the five important signs your vehicle needs a wheel alignment, most people notice pulling the quickest. When pointing the car in a straight line, a poorly aligned tire will cause the car to drift to one side.
The side is always the same, and the difference in tilt can be observed via the angle of the steering wheel. How much a vehicle pulls depends entirely on the degree of misaligned tire. Either way, ignoring this alignment problem and pulling will only worsen and can cause a car to be difficult to control for long periods or at high speeds.
3# Uneven Tire Wear
Ideally, tires of the same type, make, and age are intended to wear evenly. However, this is only possible if the tires are correctly aligned.
A misaligned tire can cause uneven tire wear in sections of the tire, reducing its overall effectiveness even once the alignment issue is corrected. Severely uneven tire wear may mean it’s time to replace your vehicle’s wheels with new tires. Regular wheel alignment checks, along with other tire services, can help extend the tire life and improve overall vehicle handling and performance. It’s also important to understand the key differences between tire balancing and alignment, as both can affect tire wear and performance.
#4 The Vehicle is Vibrating
Besides causing a car to continuously turn to one side, improper wheel alignment can also cause vibrations, leading to tires also aligning in opposing directions. A vehicle will start to vibrate noticeably when two or more tires are pointed away from each other or the remaining tires. In other words, the tires are pulling the car in two directions and are then dragged back to the center, resulting in a rough ride.
#5 The Wheels Are Visibly at Odd Angles
The final and best way to diagnose misaligned wheels is to have a look at them. First, park the car, ensuring the steering wheel is centered. Normally, the tires should be straight and aligned. If they’re misaligned, though, they won’t be straight, indicating the need for a wheel alignment service.
They’ll either turn inward or outward as if the steering wheel were not centered. Alternatively, tires sometimes become misaligned along the vertical axis. In this case, the upper half of the tire will be angled outward while the lower half is turned inward, or vice versa.
Choose Commercial Tire for Your Wheel Alignment Needs
Help ensure your tires are properly aligned by getting them checked out by one of our experts at your local Commercial Tire. Our team can help make any adjustments needed in order to prolong the life of your tires with a proper wheel alignment, making sure your car is road-ready! Schedule an appointment today.
