6 SIGNS YOUR CAR NEEDS AN ALIGNMENT

You may know the basic maintenance your car requires – such as when your gas tank runs low, but do you know when your car needs an alignment? Once you know, the signs can be easy to catch and are as simple as using your senses. Don’t ignore any of these signs – you don’t want to be drifting off the road on your next drive! Pay close attention so you can identify any of these symptoms of a misalignment.

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- Car Pulling in One Direction The most obvious sign that it’s time to get an alignment is if your vehicle starts to pull to one side of the road while driving. If you let go of the steering wheel and your car pulls into one lane or the other, you may need to get your wheels aligned. - Uneven Tire Wear Check the pattern of the wear on your front tires and your back tires. If the wear seems to be the same, you’re good to go. If the wear on the tires seems inconsistent, you may need to get your vehicle checked for misalignment. Next time you bring your vehicle in for service, have the mechanics check for any inconsistencies. - Crooked Steering Wheel Test letting go of your wheel (when you’re parked safely at a red light, for example). If it’s crooked or steering one way over another, your tires are likely not aligned correctly. Your wheel should be almost completely straight. Pay attention to if you are subconsciously correcting your steering wheel as you drive. - Squealing Tires Squealing tires can also be a sign of a misalignment. If you notice your tires are noisier than usual despite driving at normal speed, get your tires checked. Of course, they might squeal if you floor it at a red light, but they definitely shouldn’t – as you should be driving the speed limit, right? - Vibration Steering wheel vibration can be caused by various car problems, including a misalignment. If you notice that your steering wheel is vibrating as you drive, there is likely an underlying problem. Take your car in to have a mechanic check to see what may be causing the issue. - Loose Steering Wheel A loose steering wheel is another – especially dangerous – sign of a misalignment. If your car feels generally “wrong” while driving around a corner or even while switching lanes in the road, bring your car in for a checkup. If you feel your vehicle has any or multiple of these symptoms, you likely need to get your tires aligned. Luckily, it can be easily done when you bring your car in for your next oil change. Be sure to tell the mechanics all of the symptoms so they can properly diagnose the problem and fix what is necessary on your vehicle.