Misaligned wheels are one of the most common causes of uneven or premature tire wear.
Uneven tread can be a safety issue as well as making your car’s ride less comfortable. Not to mention the cost of replacing your tires sooner than expected.
Proper wheel alignment will help avoid unnecessary expenses and dangerous driving conditions. Let’s look at 5 signs your car needs wheel alignment service.
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Uneven Tire Wear
Uneven tire wear is one of the most common signs of your wheels being out of alignment. When your wheels are properly aligned, the tread wear should be the same across the tire.
When the wheel is out of alignment, the tread on one side wears faster than normal and you’ll see a significant difference in the tread depth. If left unchecked, you could end up with no tread at all on one edge.
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Steering Pulls to the Left or Right
If you feel your steering wheel pulling to the left or right while you’re driving, it’s likely a sign of poor wheel alignment.
A soft pulling, where the car drifts slightly to one side, is usually an early sign. If you feel a stronger pull, the alignment problem is more serious.
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Unusual Noise or Vibration When Steering
Poor wheel alignment can make your steering wheel vibrate or rock back and forth while you drive. In really bad cases, you could even feel your whole vehicle shake while you’re driving.
The misalignment makes two or more of your wheels work against each other to try and pull your car in opposite directions.
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Steering Wheel Isn’t Centered
If your steering wheel isn’t centered when you’re driving in a straight line, it’s often a sign of a wheel alignment problem.
This is another potential safety problem, especially if someone unfamiliar with the vehicle is driving.
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A Squealing Sound from Your Tires
When two or more of your car’s wheels are out of alignment, they’re often working against one another to pull your vehicle in different directions. This can lead to a squealing sound while you drive.
Because one or more of your tires isn’t tracking properly, the friction of the tire getting pulled away from the path of least resistance causes it to squeal. This is also what causes the tread to wear unevenly.
Where to Get the Best Deal on Wheel Alignment
If you’re having trouble with your car’s wheel alignment, don’t ignore it. Getting it serviced as soon as you notice the problem will keep you safer on the road and save you money in the long run.
Dependable Car Care is here to help. Our wheel alignment service will get your car back on track. We also offer a range of other car care services for many common problems.
Get in touch with us today to book an appointment and we’ll get your car back in top shape.
