Keeping your vehicle’s wheels aligned not only ensures you drive in a straight line when you’re on the road, but it also protects the overall wellbeing of your vehicle. Poor alignment can cause your tires to wear irregularly and can negatively affect the overall handling of your vehicle.
If you take your vehicle off-roading on a frequent basis, you may need to get your vehicle an alignment sooner than an individual who uses their vehicle for commuting purposes only. If you enjoy off-roading, it is important to know the signs that your vehicle needs an alignment.
#1. Your Steering Wheel Doesn’t Stay Straight
When you drive your vehicle, if you let go of your steering wheel, it should stay centered. It may drift a little if the road is curved downwards to the left or right for drainage purposes, but your steering wheel should stay mostly straight.
If you let go of your steering wheel while you are driving and it pulls harshly to the left or the right, that is a strong sign that your vehicle is out of alignment. You may also feel this pull when you are driving. It shouldn’t take a lot of effort to keep your vehicle driving straight.
This warning sign is more obvious with front-wheel drive vehicles and less obvious with four-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicles.
When you get your tires aligned, the mechanic will make sure your tires align with your steering column. This should eliminate the pull you feel and see on your steering wheel while you drive.
#2. Your Tires Start to Wear Abnormally
All of your tires should ideally wear down at the same rate, provided you properly rotate them at the recommended mileage for your vehicle. The tread should wear down in the center of your tire, where your tire has the most contact with your vehicle.
When your vehicle is not properly aligned, you may start to see abnormal wear patterns on your tires. Specifically, you will notice that your tires seem to be wearing down more on one side or edge than on the other. Your vehicle being out of alignment generally causes this type of abnormal wear pattern.
You want your tires to wear down evenly. This will provide you with the smoothest ride. When your tires wear evenly, you will also be able to replace them all at the same time, which is the ideal way to replace your tires.
#3. Your Wheel Starts to Vibrate
When you hold onto your steering wheel, you may feel the bumps in the road as you go over them, but you shouldn’t feel your steering wheel move at all. Your steering wheel should not vibrate. When your alignment is off, your steering wheel may vibrate.
If your tires are off balance or out of alignment, they can cause vibrations in your steering wheel. They can get off balance if you drive over a pothole or participate in general off-roading activities. You may not feel your steering wheel vibrate when you are driving at slower speeds through town.
However, when you get on the freeway or drive on roads with a higher speed limit, you will start to feel the vibrations more. You feel the vibrations more at higher speeds because your tires are rotating faster.
Over time, if you don’t get your vehicle aligned, the vibrations will get worse. This can compromise your ability to keep a good grip on your steering wheel and drive safely down the road.
If your steering wheel doesn’t stay straight and starts to vibrate when you drive, you need to get your tires aligned. Be sure to watch for irregular wear patterns as well. The professionals atEvans Tire & Service Centerscan help you keep your off-roading vehicle in proper alignment for all of your adventures.
FAQs
Once the adjustments and toe angles are addressed, the mechanic restarts the car and removes the steering wheel lock before turning the steering wheel back and forth a few times. This is a good indicator of whether the alignment worked and how to proceed. Once complete, the steering wheel is re-centred and locked.
How do I know if wheel alignment was done? ›
Once the adjustments and toe angles are addressed, the mechanic restarts the car and removes the steering wheel lock before turning the steering wheel back and forth a few times. This is a good indicator of whether the alignment worked and how to proceed. Once complete, the steering wheel is re-centred and locked.
How do you check if wheels are not aligned? ›
What are the symptoms of your car being out of alignment?
- Uneven or rapid tire wear.
- Steering wheel being crooked when you are driving straight.
- Noisy Steering.
- Pulling to the right or left.
- Squealing tires.
On a wide, empty, flat road, drive a moderate pace and loosen your grip on the steering wheel. If your car is properly aligned, it will continue to drive straight. If it starts to pull in one direction or the other, your wheel alignment might be off.
What to check before alignment? ›
Check the wear indicators on the ball joints. Inspect the control arm bushings for excess play and signs of damage like dry rot. Also, check the jounce and rebound bumpers for damage and possible heavy contact. Inspect shocks and struts for mechanical damage.
Can you check alignment yourself? ›
The three factors that affect alignment are toe-in, camber and caster. The first two can easily be checked at home. Car front tires are slightly pigeon-toed to intentionally place a very slight load on the wheel bearings. Typical toe-in specs vary from one-thirty-second to one-eighth-inch, depending on the vehicle.
What does bad alignment feel like? ›
Loose Steering: If your steering feels wobbly or unstable, it could be a sign of bad alignment. It feels like your car isn't quite staying on course, and you have to keep adjusting the steering.
How often should I get an alignment? ›
Generally speaking, you'll want to get your vehicle's wheels at least checked for proper alignment once a year or every other oil change. If you're looking for a numerical value, most tire professionals will cite the 6,000-mile figure as a rule of thumb.
How do I know if I am out of alignment? ›
Anxiety, fatigue, short temper, inertia, and confusion are some of the signs you are trying to navigate while out of personal alignment. Just like with the car, we can always tell by the way we feel.
How many miles does a wheel alignment last? ›
Still, for the average passenger car or truck, an alignment is required every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. It's also a wise policy to align your wheels when you get a suspension checkup and adjustment. You can visit our service center in Fairfield, Ohio, to get your wheels aligned or any other services you need.
If you start to hear strange noises coming from your wheels, it could be a sign that the alignment is off. These noises can range from a light humming to a loud grinding and are usually most noticeable when you're driving at high speeds.
How do I tell if I need an alignment? ›
5 signs your car needs an alignment
- Your steering wheel isn't centered. ...
- Your vehicle pulls to one side or the other. ...
- You notice abnormal tire wear in certain spots. ...
- The handling feels loose. ...
- The steering wheel doesn't return to center.
Driving a car with bad alignment is never recommended and can cause more than just an annoying driving experience. Doing so could lead to reduced fuel economy, expensive tire replacement costs, and steering concerns that could put you, your passengers, and other motorists at risk.
How fast will tires wear with bad alignment? ›
The wear on your tires caused by alignment issues depends on the severity of the problem. Over time, even a minor issue can take thousands of miles off a tire's life, but a major misalignment, especially in the toe angle, can chew through your tire tread depth in just a few hundred miles if you don't get it fixed.
How often should wheel alignment be done? ›
Typically, it is recommended to get your wheels aligned every 2 to 3 years. However, to ensure the optimal safety of your car, yourself and others around you, it is best to opt for a wheel alignment every time you go to change your oil of the vehicle.
What happens if wheel alignment is bad? ›
When your wheels are out of alignment, they are often pulling against each other or being partly dragged along the road surface. This can have several consequences for the car's handling and feel, including a steering wheel that vibrates or the whole car shaking as it goes down the motorway.
