When driving, it’s common to encounter potholes and rough stretches. Unfortunately, these road hazards can misalign your wheels. If this happens, you’ll need auto repair to restore the balance and connection of the wheels to the body of your vehicle. Here are a few indicators that your car has an alignment problem.

How to Tell if Your Car’s Alignment Is Off

1. Steering Wheel Issues

A loose or a vibrating steering wheel may be a sign of car misalignment. Worn-out and loosened suspension parts such as the tie rods, shocks, and struts can cause this problem.

To confirm that it’s an alignment problem, get an inspection from an auto repair professional. Timely fixes to your suspension components will prevent other issues from developing, such as damage to the brake rotor.

2. Vehicle Veering to One Side

When you’re driving on a straight road, your steering wheel should also remain straight, even when you remove your hands from it. But, when your wheels are misaligned, your car may pull to one side, which can be noticeable if the emblem in the center of the steering wheel turns a few degrees while driving.

If this issue isn’t resolved right away by an auto repair expert, it could compromise your handling of the vehicle. Some drivers could end up unintentionally veering into the wrong road lane.

3. Uneven Tire Wear

Tires with uneven wear also affect handling, which can result in accidents. Though this problem could stem from wheel misalignment, it could also be due to incorrectly inflated tires.

An auto repair professional can use a pressure gauge to make sure that the tires are inflated at the recommended PSI and use a tread depth gauge to measure the depth of the grooves. If the wheels are aligned, the rubber depth should be equal among the tires.

For wheel alignment matters and other car issues, rely on the auto repair technicians at Foster’s Automotive in High Point, NC. This family-owned and -operated company has been in the industry for over two decades, providing high-quality brake repairs, oil changes, tire rotations, and other automotive services. These certified professionals can efficiently perform the repairs and maintenance, helping you go back on the road as soon as possible. Call (336) 869-9139 to schedule an appointment or visit their website.