Wheel alignment is needed to make sure that your tires, suspension, steering, and brakes do not face wear and tear needlessly. Generally, regular vehicle services cover checking and fixing the realignment of the wheels if there is any misalignment. However, sometimes you also need to know the signs of uneven wheel alignment to get it fixed as wheel misalignment can happen at any time.
Here are the five major signs that clearly indicate that you need a vehicle service to align your wheels:
1. Vibration In The Steering Wheel
When your tires are not aligned perfectly, they pull in a contradictory direction from each other, which results in unusual vibration in your steering wheel. If you are experiencing this, you need a wheel alignment.
2. Minor Pulls
This sign often goes unnoticed, but still, it is a vital indicator and signifies the need for a wheel alignment. The vehicle faces slight pulling if your tires are misaligned. To inspect this, do one of the following:
- Find a straight line and drive slowly in a straight line. Relax your grip on the steering wheel and you will get to know if you need a wheel alignment or not. If your car moves in either direction instead of going straight, there are misaligned tires.
- Locate a level parking space without any angle and park the car there. If there are misaligned tires, you will experience slight pulling.
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3. Sign Of Irregular Wear On The Tire
If you have contracted regular vehicle service, then every time you go to service your vehicle ask your mechanic to inspect the tread of your vehicle as it gives a clear sign of irregular misaligned wheels. On the other hand, if you want to inspect that on your own then check the rear tires and front tires to look for signs of wear. The wear in your tires should be the same for all tires. If it’s not then it means your vehicle is misaligned and needs service.
4. Angled Steering Wheel
Pro drivers often drive subconsciously and that is why they can handle any kind of situation. Misaligned wheels will pull the car slightly in one direction but because of your driving skills, you might keep the car centred subconsciously. Pay attention for pulling while driving and if you are experiencing a crooked steering wheel, then you need an immediate wheel alignment.
5. Sharp Pulls
Misaligned tires pull the car in a direction other than going straight. As mentioned earlier, this can be a slight pull or very sharp pulling in a single direction. Sometimes sharp pulling happens because of low pressure in tires. However, if pressure is perfect and you are still facing issues this means you are dealing with misaligned tires and you better get a vehicle service to align them.
These are the 5 signs which give you a clear hint that your wheels are misaligned. When you’re seeing them it’s time to go to the mechanic and get the wheel alignment to make sure you do not hamper the performance of the car or put yourself in danger.