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Sometimes bad roads are unavoidable. If you drive through potholes, hit a curb, or go on a poorly maintained road, your wheel alignment may get affected. You may not notice any damage at first, but the tires may start to wear out unevenly with time.
Regular tire or wheel alignment ensures that your wheels last longer and perform properly. It also prevents your vehicle from vibrating weirdly or leaning in one direction. But how do you know that your car needs a wheel alignment?
Here are a few ways to help you know that your car needs tire alignment.
If your vehicle is not severely misaligned, it might be hard to notice the sharp pulling. You can test your alignment by releasing the steering wheel for a moment when driving on a straight road, with no traffic. If the vehicle swerves in one direction, then you probably need a wheel alignment.
If you notice that your steering wheel is loose, you should immediately have it checked. A crooked or sloppy steering wheel can be very dangerous as it can easily cause an accident due to the reduced response time when turning.
A well-aligned vehicle should have the same wear pattern on all its tires. If you notice that your tires are wearing out unevenly, there is a high chance that your vehicle needs a wheel alignment. When you visit an auto repair shop, you should request your mechanic to check the tread.
A vibrating steering wheel could be a sign of unbalanced tires. However, it could also be an indication that you need to get a wheel alignment. Vibration is mainly caused by tires pulling in different directions. Be sure to seek professional help to know the cause of the vibrations.
As the tires wear out due to misalignment, they may start to screech as the vehicle makes a turn or accelerates. While squealing may be due to other reasons, such as worn-out brake pads, you should have a mechanic check if you need alignment.
If you need a wheel alignment, feel free to bring your vehicle into our auto repair shop today!