2 Signs That Mean Your Car's Wheels Are Out Of Alignment
Posted on: 8 May 2019
If you have noticed that your tires are wearing down shortly after replacing them, you may start to suspect that your car is out of alignment. However, if you are still not completely sure, look for the following signs while you are driving that mean that your car's wheels are no longer in alignment.
1. Tires Squeal Whenever You Make a Sharp Turn
Normally, when you make a sharp turn with your car, your wheels adjust themselves to ensure that the movement stays smooth and the friction between the tread and the pavement remains even. However, if your wheels are misaligned, one or more of your tires will not make the necessary adjustment when going around a turn.
As a result, one or more of the tires' rubber will drag, creating a temporary increase in friction. This increase in friction will then cause a squealing noise. This sound means that a thin layer of the rubber is scraping off of the tire and being left on the road. If you do not do something about the misalignment, the areas that always squeal will wear down faster than the rest of the tread.
2. Car Pulls to One Side or the Other While You Are Driving Straight
When your wheels are aligned properly, the steering column to which the axles are attached stays straight and even, only turning when you want it to. However, if the wheels are misaligned, the axles will be thrown off balance and pull the steering mechanism.
Because of the pull on the steering mechanism, you may notice that your steering wheel pulls to either the left of the right as you are trying to drive straight. Even if you have both hands on the wheel, you may have to fight it to keep it from turning.
Even if you do not have to struggle to keep the wheel straight, you can still tell whether or not there is a misalignment by driving down a straight stretch of road and lightly letting go of the wheel. Make sure that there are no other cars around you when you do this. If you see the wheel pull to one side or the other, you should have the alignment checked and repaired before the problem gets worse.
If you notice either of the above signs while driving, your wheels are most likely out of alignment. Because the problem will only get worse, take your car to an auto alignment repair service to have them make the necessary adjustments to get your vehicle driving straight once again.
Share