4 Signs a Car Needs a Wheel Alignment

Unexpectedly driving over a pothole is enough to cause your wheels to become misaligned. Any type of forcible action can have the same result, affecting the way your car drives and significantly impacting your comfort and safety on the road. Here are a few key signs that it’s time to visit an auto body shop for a wheel alignment.

When driving straight, your wheels should only face forward. If the car pulls to one side when you let go of the steering wheel, or if it feels like it’s being pulled slightly and you have to exert more control to keep the wheel straight, misalignment is likely the cause. Over time, you'll notice it’s increasingly more difficult to prevent the car from drifting over.

Confirm that your tires are inflated to rule out imbalance as a possible culprit. Otherwise, misalignment could cause miscommunication between the steering wheel and tires via the drivetrain, creating the vibration.

When your wheels are properly aligned, the tread on each tire wears down at an even pace. Misalignment affects tread wear significantly and may cause one tire to have greater tread depth than another. Improper alignment may especially cause the tires to show signs of wear along the edges. 

The wheel’s positioning as you drive in a line can also alert you to a problem with the alignment. Pay close attention as you move down a straight road. Does the wheel look centered, or does it appear to move to the side? The wheel may also feel loose as you turn it.