Warning Signs That Your Vehicle Has Wheel Alignment Issues
Proper wheel alignment is crucial if you want to maintain accurate handling of your vehicle while you are out on the road. Improper wheel alignment can also be hard to notice though if you are not specifically looking for a problem. Here are a few potential warning signs that your wheel alignment might be off.
Let Go of the Wheel
No, we don't recommend driving down the road with your hands off the wheel for any significant length of time, but this is actually a pretty quick way to make sure your vehicle is still operating as it should be. Make sure your vehicle is driving completely straight and the wheel is centered. Then, let go. If the car begins drifting one way or another instead of staying in a straight line, this is a sign that you may have a problem with your wheel alignment.
Check the Tread
You should be keeping an eye on your tire tread anyway just to make sure you have a proper grip on the road, but if it's been a while since you've looked, get down near the ground and really inspect each side of your tires. If it appears that the tread is not coming off evenly and that you are losing more on one particular side, this could indicate an alignment problem.
If you get your tires rotated on a regular basis, a good auto mechanic will be able to check your tread for you.
Your Tires Make Noise
Just about every teenager has enjoyed peeling out at a green light or parking lot. But if you still hear that squealing sound even when you are just normally driving, this is another potential warning sign to watch out for. In short, this is another indication that your tire tread is not as it should be. If you hear a little too much squealing coming out of your tires, it's time for a closer look at the tread as was just described.
Improper wheel alignment is not something that is immediately noticeable but rather something that slowly develops over time. Keep a close eye on your tires and listen carefully while driving. If you notice too much tread has deteriorated on just one side of the tires, it's time to do the steering wheel test in order to see if your car begins to drift when you should be driving straight. If you notice a significant problem with your wheel alignment, reach out to your local auto shop today, like D Wells Automotive Service, to get the problem fixed.
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