When you start thinking about different ways to improve your car, there might be a few things you can do in order to ensure a safe, stable ride. For starters, you should think about starting to focus on learning basic at-home auto service techniques, such as changing your own oil or replacing your auto filter.
By learning about car care, you can empower yourself with knowledge and learn more about how to manage different aspects of the trade, which can be incredibly helpful. Check out this website for awesome tips and tricks that talk about auto service that can pave the way for a brighter tomorrow.
Having your vehicle's wheels aligned properly is going to provide a more comfortable experience, reduce damage to your vehicle, and even increase fuel efficiency. This may leave you wondering how you can tell if you need a wheel alignment. Look out for the following signs that indicate you should take your vehicle in for an alignment.
Uneven Tread Wear
It is normal for your tires to have a little bit of uneven tire wear from years of normal use. For example, you may notice slightly more wear on the left tires compared to the right tires based on things like road conditions and if you frequently make left turns. However, you should be concerned if there is a massive difference in tread wear. Measure the tread between tires and see how close they are, and if the tires even have consistent wear across both sides of a single tire. Having a wheel that is misaligned can put pressure on odd places of the tire that cause them to wear unevenly in that regard as well.
Vehicle Pulling To One Side
A vehicle that is not properly aligned has wheels that are not perfectly straight. This naturally will cause your car to consistently pull to the same direction when you take your hands off the wheel. As long as the road you are driving on is completely flat, the vehicle should go straight when you take your hands off the wheel.
Crooked Steering Wheel
When your vehicle is driving straight on the road, look at the steering wheel to see how it is aligned. Is the steering wheel completely straight, or is it turned slightly in one direction? Having a crooked steering wheel when driving straight is another sign that you need a wheel alignment. The wheels and the steering wheel should match up perfectly with how the wheel is turned and the direction that your wheels are facing.
Squealing Tires
You should not hear squealing from your tires when driving down a straight road. This is an indication that the tires are rubbing in an odd way and that your vehicle may need a wheel alignment. You may hear squealing when turning or when you hear the reverberation in a parking garage, but you should not hear noises when driving straight in an outdoor setting.
Experiencing any of these symptoms with your vehicle? Have your wheels aligned as soon as possible to fix the problem.
For more information about wheel alignment, contact a company like Louisville Auto Spring.