When a vehicle pulls away from going straight even though you are steering straight, this is the number one sign that the wheels are out of alignment. We here at JTR Repair will talk more about pulling below. It’s important to keep your wheels aligned. Failing to do so will reduce the amount of life you get out of your tires. Let’s talk about the signs that your wheels are out of alignment so you know that you need to get them realigned. On average, the wheels should be aligned every two years.
Pulling
If your vehicle drifts to the right or left even though you are steering straight, the wheels are out of alignment. It’s possible that you have knocked the wheels out of alignment by going over a bump too fast or hitting a curb. Flying through potholes or hitting parking space markers can also knock your wheels out of alignment. Your suspension is designed to go straight unless you steer it otherwise.
Uneven Tread Wear
Another sign that your wheels are out of alignment is uneven tire tread wear. Wheel alignment ensures that the tires meet with the road evenly from top to bottom and side to side. When the wheels are not aligned properly, only a portion of the tire meets the road and this causes uneven tire tread wear. Uneven tread wear can also point to the fact that your wheels may be out of balance.
Crooked Steering Wheel
The steering wheel logo is designed to be upright when your tires are pointed straight. If your steering wheel logo is crooked when your tires are pointed straight, your wheels are not aligned properly. It’s easy to check this by checking your tires first to make sure they are pointed straight. Then, look at your steering wheel to make sure the logo is straight.
Squealing Tires
Finally, as discussed above, wheel alignment ensures that your tires make even contact with the road. If your tires are not making even contact with the road, they may squeal when you go around corners. If you have this happening alone or alongside any of the other symptoms discussed above, it’s a safe bet that you need to get your wheels realigned because they are misaligned.
As we mentioned above, we can help here at JTR Repair in Crawfordsville, IN. Call us today to schedule an appointment for a wheel alignment. We will make sure that your tires meet the road evenly and that your wheels are balanced and aligned.
