Feeling a bit uneven? How to tell if it’s time for a car wheel alignment
Alignment, even if you don’t know much about how it works, you know maintaining it is part of keeping your car in good working order. That’s great, but how can you tell if your car is out of alignment? After all, there’s no handy dashboard warning light like there is for tire pressure or coolant temperature.
Follow along as we demystify the purpose of your car’s alignment, why it’s so important to maintain and how to tell if you’re in need of an alignment service. Getting your facts straight is the first step to keeping your car straight!
Why Proper Alignment Is So Essential
Proper alignment is about much more than straight wheels. Vehicle alignment can help extend the life of your tires, lead to even tire wear, make for a smooth ride, help ensure safe vehicle handling and even help save you money on gas.
Overall, alignment deals with a vehicle’s steering and suspension systems, which are tasked with maintaining proper steering, handling and ride quality. It’s the system that generally allows for a comfortable, stable drive. In other words, they are pretty important.
How Do You Know If You Need a Wheel Alignment?
There are a few noticeable signs you need an alignment. Just use your eyes, ears and hands. Here are some common signs that you may be dealing with poor alignment:
- Your vehicle pulls to one side
- Uneven or rapid tire wear
- Your steering wheel is crooked when driving straight
- Squealing tires
- Shaking or vibrating steering wheel
- Your steering wheel feels loose or unresponsive
If you’re noticing any of these alignment symptoms, schedule an alignment check at Morley Tyre Centre to get your ride pointed in the right direction.
How To Tell If Your Wheels Aren’t Properly Aligned
Time for the big question: is your car out of alignment? Now that you know how important proper alignment is, watch out for these warning signs:
1. Your Vehicle Drifts to One Side or Steering Wheel Is Not Centered
If your car drifts to the right or left, even though the steering wheel is pointing straight, it’s a clear sign of a wheel alignment problem. Similarly, you might notice that when you are driving straight, your steering wheel is not actually pointing straight.
2. Uneven or Abnormal Tyre Wear
When your wheels are out of alignment, your tires won’t make even contact with the road. Misalignment can cause certain parts of the tire to wear out faster than others. This may be hard to spot, since the best way to check is by comparing tread depth on the inner and outer edge of the tire. You can always ask a technician to check out your tires for uneven wear.
3. Steering Feels “Sloppy” Or “Loose”
It might even feel like your car is wandering a bit, with a mind of its own. If the misalignment is less drastic, it may just feel like your car is not as responsive as it usually is. Whenever steering feels compromised, you should have a technician check the vehicle’s steering and suspension systems as soon as possible.
4. Steering Wheel Vibrations
You can’t miss this red flag. If your vehicle is out of alignment, uneven tire wear can occur, which can cause a vibration that is felt in your steering wheel. Steering wheel vibrations can also be because of unbalanced tires or a bent rim caused by hitting a curb or pothole.
5. Squealing Tires
If you’re hearing that tell-tale squeal when you take a turn, it could be more than just dramatic driving. Misalignment causes your tires to work against each other, leading to that high-pitched sound. Besides being annoying, it’s also a sign that your tires are experiencing undue stress, which reduces their lifespan.
6. Poor Fuel Efficiency
Notice you’re visiting the gas station a little too often lately? Misaligned wheels don’t roll in perfect harmony, causing increased resistance as you drive. This drag means your engine has to work harder and burn more fuel. Keeping your alignment in check not only saves your tires but also improves fuel efficiency.
7. Difficulty Handling Corners
If your car doesn’t seem to respond well when you’re cornering, or it feels unstable when you take a turn, this could be a sign of alignment issues. Proper alignment helps all four tires work together, so if that’s off, it can make cornering feel more challenging.
8. Steering Wheel Doesn’t Return to Center
When you make a turn, your steering wheel should naturally want to return to the center position. If it feels reluctant to do so, chances are your alignment needs attention. This is another indicator that your caster angle might be off, affecting the way your steering functions.
9. Suspension Issues
Your alignment affects your suspension too. If you’ve noticed new or unusual creaks and groans coming from your vehicle, it could be a result of alignment issues putting extra strain on your suspension components. Misalignment can accelerate wear and tear on shocks, struts and other suspension parts, leading to costly repairs if not addressed early.
How to Help Maintain Proper Wheel Alignment
While wheel alignments require professionals and professional equipment, there are steps you can take to help maintain your alignment.
Here are some tips:
Remove heavy, bulky items from your trunk. If you have too much weight loading down your back end, it can temporarily throw off your alignment. Remove what you don’t need.
Maintain correct air pressure in your tires. If one corner of your vehicle is running lower due to underinflation, it can temporarily throw off your alignment.
Slow down and try to avoid potholes and curbs. Embracing conservative driving habits can help place less strain on steering and suspension components, which are key to maintaining proper alignment.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Alignment Issues
Ignoring alignment issues might seem like no big deal, but the truth is, it can lead to bigger headaches. Uneven tire wear means you’ll need to replace your tires more often, which adds up quickly. Not to mention, poor alignment can cause suspension damage and put your safety at risk, particularly in slippery or emergency driving situations. Misalignment also impacts fuel efficiency, meaning more frequent trips to the gas station and higher expenses overall.
Trust Professionals Like Morley Tyre Centre in Perth
Ensure you choose a trusted brand known for quality wheel alignment services, like Morley Tyre Centre in Perth. With over 10 years of experience, they offer professional alignment solutions that enhance vehicle safety and performance.
Proper wheel alignment helps your truck handle heavy loads more effectively, reduces tyre wear, and ensures a smoother, more fuel-efficient ride for the long haul.
Ready to get your wheels aligned?
Contact Morley Tyre Centre today at (08) 9276 3488 or visit us at 281 Walter Rd W, Morley WA 6062. Our expert team is here to ensure your vehicle runs smoothly and safely. Don’t wait—book your wheel alignment service now!
