How Can I Tell if My Car Needs a Wheel Alignment?
If you haven’t had your wheels aligned in two-to-three years, your car needs a wheel alignment. Things that knock your wheels out of alignment prematurely include hitting curbs and driving too fast over speed bumps or potholes. If you notice any of the following five signs, bring your car, truck, crossover, or SUV into Total Auto Care for an alignment check. We’ll realign the wheels if they need it.
Off-Center Steering Wheel
With your wheels pointed straight, sit in the driver’s seat of your car and look at the steering wheel. Is the manufacturer’s logo upright or is it tilted to one side? If the logo is tilted even though your wheels are straight, your steering wheel is off-center, which means your wheels are out of alignment.
Your Vehicle Won’t Go Straight
Do you find that your automobile drifts to the right or left even though you’re driving on a straight and level road? This, too, is a sign that your wheels are misaligned. Your vehicle’s suspension is designed to go straight unless you steer it to the right or left; it shouldn’t automatically pull to the right or left.
Your Tire Tread Wear Is Uneven
Tire tread wear is very revealing. Uneven tire tread wear suggests that your tires aren’t inflated properly, your wheels aren’t balanced, or your wheels are misaligned. Have your tires rotated and inspected every 6,000 miles. This helps auto technicians spot and diagnose uneven tread wear.
Your Vehicle Handles Looser Than Normal
You know how your vehicle handles, and if something feels different then something is wrong. Sometimes, wheels that aren’t aligned properly make steering the automobile difficult. The steering feels too loose, and you may find that your turns are sloppy and your vehicle wanders.
Your Steering Doesn’t Center After a Turn
Aside from a turn being sloppy, another sign that your wheels need an alignment is if the steering wheel doesn’t return to center upon completion of a turn. Even though you help it along, your steering is designed to center itself automatically. If it doesn’t, there’s something wrong with the wheel alignment.Because wheel alignment helps you control your automobile, it’s best to have any concerns addressed as soon as possible. Call Total Auto Care in North Branch, MN, to discuss your vehicle’s wheel alignment. We’d be happy to set a convenient appointment for you to bring your automobile into our shop for an alignment inspection and wheel alignment. Call us today.