Vehicle Alignment Problems | Tire Alignment Service
Why Your Car Might Be Pulling to One Side – And How to Fix It
When you are driving down a straight road, does your car pull to one side? If so, it could be an indication that a tire alignment service is needed. When tires are out of alignment, they no longer point in the optimal direction, causing your vehicle to veer off course. Tires out of alignment can cause issues with uneven wear patterns, decreased fuel efficiency and other challenges. By ensuring your tires are properly aligned, it can extend their life and contribute to a safer vehicle. In this blog, we’ll explore the main reasons your tires might become misaligned, how to identify the problem, and what to do to restore your car’s alignment.
Common Causes of Cars Pulling to One Side
There are a few causes for vehicles pulling to the side. The most common causes are wheel alignment issues. Your car’s wheels need to be perfectly positioned relative to each other and the road to maintain straight tracking. When you drive over potholes or curbs, it can throw wheels out of their correct alignment. Northeast Ohio is known to have pothole issues, particularly after winter, which can knock wheels out of alignment. Other causes can be low tire pressure or uneven tire wear. Once you have ruled out any issues with tire pressure and the tread appears to be wearing evenly, the next step is to have your tire technician inspect the vehicle. The technician will be able to determine if the wheels are out of alignment by using specialized equipment. The good news is that alignment issues are easy to solve and do not require extensive repairs.
Resolving Tire Alignment Issues
Now that your technician has diagnosed an alignment issue, they can start resolving the problem. Your vehicle will be put on a hydraulic hoist as the technician uses an alignment machine to get your wheels back in place. The alignment machine uses lasers and sensors to measure the vehicle’s wheel angles. When taking these measurements, focus is put on three areas: camber, caster and toe. Camber is the inward or outward tilt of the wheel when it is viewed from the front of the vehicle. Caster is the angle of the steering access when viewed from the side. Toe is the inward or outward angle of the wheels when viewed from above. These measurements will be compared to the manufacturer’s specifications so the technician will know where to make adjustments. Suspension components, such as tie rods and control arms, are adjusted to bring the angles into the correct range. When the wheels are in proper alignment, they are parallel to each other, perpendicular to the ground and pointing straight. After this procedure, a test drive often confirms the vehicle drives smoothly with no pulling sensation.
Benefits of Correctly Aligned Wheels
Ensuring your vehicle is properly aligned has several benefits, starting with tire health. When the vehicle is in correct alignment, the tires will have even contact with the road, which leads to more uniform wear patterns. This can extend the lifespan of your tires compared to uneven wear that results from misalignment. Other benefits of correctly aligned tires include:
- Improved handling in severe weather conditions
- Better gas mileage
- Enhanced vehicle safety
- Smoother driving experience
- Reduced stress on vehicle components
Making sure your wheels are in alignment can help with driving stability, fuel efficiency and wear of your tires. If you notice your vehicle pulling to one side, it is a good idea to have your technician take a look. Instead of driving on misaligned tires that cause your vehicle to pull to the side, schedule an alignment to get your car headed in the right direction.
Tire Source is Your Choice for Alignments
Experiencing a pull in your steering? Book an alignment check with Tire Source today. We have several locations across Northeast Ohio to best serve you.