Different Warning Signs of Improper Wheel Alignment

Posted on | 14 Nov 2017 By Anita Gaal

Auto maintenance is often put off by drivers until the last minute, sometimes until other problems occur due to the initial problem. When you begin noticing signs or symptoms of improper wheel alignment, it is critical that you get the issue diagnosed immediately—before other damage occurs because of it. When wheel alignment is not corrected for an extended period of time, it can put added stress on other components of your vehicle like suspension parts and tires. Furthermore, wheel alignment can become a safety hazard if the issue goes unaddressed; steering responsiveness can suffer, making your car difficult to control when you need to react in a split second.

Wheel alignments are part of routine auto maintenance, and are included in every vehicle’s scheduled maintenance plan set forth by the manufacturer. Unfortunately, driving conditions and driving habits can influence the frequency of need for alignments. For instance, if you accidentally run over a curb or pothole, your alignment could be significantly affected. There are many symptoms that can appear when your alignment is off, and it is helpful to have an idea of what to look for. Here are some different warning signs of improper wheel alignment that every driver should pay attention to:

Car Drifts or Pulls

Most roads are not made to be flat; they are generally curved on both sides, allowing for proper street water drainage. This can deceptively lead drivers to believe that their alignment is off when they notice their car drifting or pulling to one side while driving. The best way to test if you need an alignment or not is to find a flat, empty road to drive on where you can gently take pressure off of the steering wheel to see if the car naturally drifts in a specific direction. With more severe alignment issues, drifting or pulling will be more apparent to the driver, causing the need to counter steer or consistently apply pressure in the opposite direction.

Emblem Position

Another way to tell if your car needs an alignment or not is to observe the position of the emblem in the center of your steering wheel. While driving straight, if you notice that the emblem is off center or tilted to one side, your car’s resting alignment is off and must be corrected. While it may not seem like a huge ordeal at first, the longer your alignment goes without repair, the more steady the impact will be on other parts over time. Because it’s so easy to allow this issue to continue, it’s best to address the problem when you first notice it to avoid safety issues and a costly repair bill.

Steering Wheel Vibration

This is perhaps one of the most obvious symptoms of wheel misalignment. Steering wheel vibration may only occur while driving straight, but it is an unsettling feeling to experience. Steering wheel vibration is often due to improper alignment, but it can also be due to other serious automotive issues. If you are experiencing steering wheel vibration, you should bring your vehicle in to your nearest, most trusted automotive specialist to perform an accurate differential diagnosis immediately.

Uneven Tire Wear

Tire health is one of the ways to diagnose various auto issues, and wheel alignment is no exception. If you pay close attention to the wear patterns on your tires, you may notice that the wear is off-center or uneven. This could indicate a number of different issues going on, but often point toward issues with wheel alignment.

How We Can Help

Ongoing auto maintenance is important to extend the life of your vehicle, to remain safe on the road, and to keep repair bills to a minimum. Wheel alignments are part of routine auto care, and the experts here at Euro Automotive are pleased to be able to help the residents of Dallas, Garland, Arlington, and Fort Worth, TX maintain their vehicles. Specializing in European imports like Jaguar, Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes (just to name a few), we offer pricing up to 25% lower than nearby dealerships. It is our mission to provide our local clients with affordable, specialized auto care by professionals who are passionate and enthusiastic about automotive work. To have your alignment checked or schedule an appointment, contact us today—we look forward to helping you get your car back on the road.