Signs you need wheel alignment

Wheel alignment, sometimes called tracking or geometry, describes the angles at which your wheels point relative to the car and the road. When those angles drift out of line, the car can pull, steer awkwardly and chew through tyres.

Few drivers notice a gradual change, so it helps to know the signs. Here are the common ones, what else can cause similar symptoms, and what happens when you bring the car to a garage.

Why is my car pulling to one side?

On a flat, straight road, with your hands lightly on the wheel, the car should travel straight. If it drifts steadily to the left or right, alignment is one possible cause.

It is not the only one. Uneven tyre pressures, a binding brake caliper or worn suspension parts can create the same drift, which is why the car needs checking rather than guessing. Camber and crown of the road can also fool you, so test on a few different stretches, and compare the feel when the road is dry and when it is wet.

Why is my steering wheel off-centre?

If you are driving straight but the steering wheel sits at an angle, the steering and wheels are not lined up with each other. It often appears after clipping a kerb or hitting a pothole.

A crooked wheel does not always mean something serious, but it does mean the geometry needs measuring. Leaving it can lead to uneven tyre wear and a car that feels vague on the road. Some drivers also notice the tyres squeal more than usual on gentle bends, or the car wandering on a motorway.

What does uneven tyre wear tell me?

Look at the tread across each front tyre, and the rears too, since many cars have rear alignment angles as well. If the inner or outer edge is wearing faster than the rest, or the tread blocks feel like a saw when you run your hand across them, the wheels may not be pointing where they should.

Incorrect pressures and worn suspension can also cause patchy wear, so a good garage will look at the whole picture rather than just the alignment angles.

• Pulling to one side on a straight road
• Steering wheel off-centre when driving straight
• Inner or outer tyre edge wearing faster
• Steering that feels loose, heavy or slow to self-centre
• Squealing tyres on gentle corners

What does a garage do during a wheel alignment check?

The car is placed on a level surface and the wheel angles are measured with alignment equipment, then compared against the figures the manufacturer specifies for the vehicle. Where an angle is adjustable, it is set back into range and the steering wheel is centred.

Before adjusting, we look for worn track rod ends, bushes and other parts that would stop the settings holding. If something is worn or bent, it needs attention first, and what that involves is only clear after inspection. Cost depends on the vehicle and on whether any parts need replacing, so ask for a quote.

When should I stop driving and get it checked?

Get the car looked at promptly if it pulls hard, the steering feels loose or heavy, or you hear knocking from the front end. Those symptoms can point to damaged steering or suspension parts, which are safety matters in their own right.

If you have recently hit a kerb or a deep pothole and the car now feels different, do not wait for the tyres to show it. Automaster is a garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and you can ask us for an alignment check and a quote.