6 Warning Signs of Improper Wheel Alignment
A car is a complex machine. To make sure it functions optimally, every component of your vehicle must be correctly arranged. Even a minor misadjustment in the positioning of a part can considerably affect the overall performance of your car.
Among other important components, the wheels hold particular significance. Proper wheel alignment is essential in maintaining control over your vehicle, particularly when navigating curved roads.
Despite wheel alignment being an important part of maintaining your vehicle, it is often overlooked during servicing. You might only think about car wheel alignment when you face an alignment issue.
Often due to bad driving habits and also environmental factors, the alignment of your wheel can be disturbed. Misaligned wheels have a bad impact on your car and result in hefty repairs. Besides this, it can also pose a threat to your safety by increasing the chances of accidents.
At In Town Automotive, we have years of experience in providing wheel alignment services at our garage in Northampton. Our team is well-versed in the symptoms of bad wheel alignment. To help you be more aware, we have created a list of six warning signs of improper wheel alignment and how to fix them.
Let’s get started!
1. Pulling on One Side
Even if you release the steering wheel, your vehicle should travel in a straight line. However, if you notice your car sliding towards one side of the road, bad wheel alignment may be a potential cause. The severity of the misalignment depends on how much and often it is drifting to one side.
This issue needs immediate attention from a professional, as leaving it unaddressed will make it harder for you to control your car. As soon as you notice this problem, take your car to a reliable garage like In Town Automotive to fix this issue.
2. Steering Wheel is Uneven
While driving on a flat and straight road, your steering wheel typically maintains a centred position. It’s advisable to regularly observe the steering wheel alignment on straight roads. If you observe any deviation in the steering wheel’s orientation, it might suggest that there are issues with your wheel alignment.
For reference, observe the logo in the centre of the steering wheel. If even slightly tilted in one direction, you may have an uneven steering wheel as a result of misaligned wheels. To take back control and improve the safety of your car, fix this problem with the help of an experienced technician.
3. Steering Wheel is Sloppy or Loose
A sloppy or loose steering wheel is another common sign of bad wheel alignment. While turning it, if the steering goes farther than you intended, it can mean the steering has become loose. A loose steering can be dangerous and increase the risk of accidents. It is essential to address the issue of loose steering by getting your wheels realigned to ensure safer and smoother driving.
4. Steering Wheel is Vibrating
Your steering wheel should not vibrate while driving. In the event it does vibrate, this may be a sign that your car’s wheels are misaligned or the tyres are not balanced properly. There are other reasons for a vibrating steering wheel, so talking to a mechanic, or our experts at In Town Automotive may be a sensible option to diagnose the issue.
A skilled technician can perform a comprehensive examination, identifying the potential reasons behind steering wheel vibrations. Once identified, necessary repairs can be swiftly completed, ensuring a safer driving experience.
5. Irregular Tyre Wear
A straightforward method to verify the correct alignment of your car wheels involves examining the tread wear on your tyres. In regular circumstances, all tyres on your vehicle should have the same tread depth. With the help of a tread depth metre, you can easily measure the tread depth of your tyres. If you notice significant variations and one tyre is more worn than others, it may indicate bad wheel alignment.
6. Tyre is Making a Squealing Sound
When your tyres are wearing out unevenly due to bad wheel alignment, they will make a squealing sound when you take a turn or accelerate. This noise is often caused by the friction between the unevenly worn tyre and the road surface.
This misalignment causes the tyres to scrub against the pavement at an improper angle, leading to increased friction and the characteristic squealing sound. Addressing the underlying wheel alignment issue can help prevent further uneven wear and eliminate the squealing noise.
Contact In Town Automotive for Wheel Alignment Services and More!
You may be tempted to ignore signs of wheel misalignment due to the cost and effort of fixing such a problem. However, fixing this problem is essential for the safety and efficiency of your vehicle. Nipping this issue in the bud will prevent it from getting worse and more expensive! As soon as you observe any of the above-mentioned signs, it’s essential to take your car to a trusted garage to get it inspected.
At In Town Automotive, our technicians have years of experience in providing wheel alignment services. Our award-winning garage also offers servicing, turbo replacement, tyre change and more!
As a certified MOT centre, if your vehicle is due for an MOT renewal, you can visit our garage for your test.
To learn more about us, visit our services page or book an appointment for wheel alignment servicing today!
