Signs Your Car Needs an Alignment

Why does my car pull to one side or sit crooked?

On a flat, straight road, a car with good alignment should track straight with only light pressure on the wheel. If you have to keep steering a little to one side to stay in your lane, that pull is a classic alignment clue.

A steering wheel that is off-center while you are driving straight is another one. The logo may sit tilted even though the car is going where you want. Both signs suggest the wheels are not pointing the way the manufacturer intended.

Keep in mind that roads are crowned, meaning they slope slightly toward the edges for drainage, so a very gentle drift on some roads is normal. A pull that shows up on a flat road, or that is new, deserves a look.

What do uneven tire wear and loose steering mean?

Tires tell the story over time. When alignment is off, a tire can scrub sideways as it rolls, wearing one edge faster than the rest. Here is what to look and feel for:

• Uneven wear: one shoulder of the tread looks worn smooth while the rest still looks fresh.
• Fast wear: tires seem to be wearing out sooner than you would expect.
• Wandering: the car drifts or feels like it needs constant small corrections on a straight road.
• Loose feel: steering seems vague or does not settle back to center the way it used to.

Loose or wandering steering can also come from worn parts, which is why the cause is not always alignment alone.

What feels like an alignment problem but is not?

A vibration or shake at highway speed is more often a balance issue than an alignment issue. Balancing deals with weight distribution in each wheel and tire, while alignment deals with angles. We explain the difference in our post on alignment and balancing.

Low tire pressure, a tire with an internal problem or a sticking brake can also make a car pull. That is why a technician checks the simple things first.

What should I do if I notice these signs?

Note when it happens: on a flat road, while braking, or only at certain speeds. That detail helps a lot. Then have the car checked, because a technician measures the angles and compares them to the manufacturer specification.

The inspection also looks at tires and steering and suspension parts, since a worn part can keep the car from holding an alignment. Catching it early is usually kinder to your tires than waiting.