The Professionals at Hooper Tire Outlet Answer that Question
Tire alignment is incredibly important to the gas mileage, handling and safety of your vehicle. The response of your vehicle is highly impacted if there is an alignment issue. When is it time to bring your car in for a front-end alignment or all-wheel alignment? Below are several signs to look for:
Does your car pull or drift?
One of the most obvious signs that you need an alignment is when your vehicle begins to pull to one side of the road. Do you feel as though you have to steer in the opposite direction all the time just to keep the car going straight? Try this - while driving straight on a flat road, briefly let go of the steering wheel. If your car drifts to the right or the left, it’s time. These are sure signs that your wheels are in poor alignment.
Does your steering wheel vibrate
How many times have you hit a pothole or a curb? If your steering wheel vibrates, it may be because your wheels have been knocked out of alignment by that jarring. A vibrating steering wheel may be the start of a bigger, more serious issue, so be sure to get it checked immediately.
Has the tread on your tires worn unevenly?
Uneven tire wear may cause your tires to be out of alignment. In a prior blog, we discussed how to measure tread depth. Measure your tread depth in a few areas of each tire. If the depth is different from tire to tire, that is a sign that your tire’s alignment is off.
Is your steering wheel off-centered?
Is your steering wheel at an odd angle? In other words, does it seem you’re turning your car real slow in one direction? This can result from having had a front-end or four-wheel alignment. The tech adjusted your tie rods to remove the pull on the steering wheel. As a result, it may change the position of the wheels in relation to the steering column. It resolved your directional pull, but it could create “off-tracking” or “dog-tracking”. This is when your car rides at a slight sideways angle.
The fix? Unfortunately another four-wheel alignment. Proper alignment should reset the steering wheel back to the center.
Do you feel as though your steering is loose?
Your car should have a fairly direct response to the direction you steer it. Do you feel as though you’re turning the wheel with very little movement? If steering the car feels loose, this can be another sign. Get the alignment checked out.
Call Hooper Tire Outlet today to make an appointment. Our professional staff will get you in and out in a hurry.