Your wheels are usually aligned directly parallel to each other; this allows your tires to equally share the load of your car. However, when your tires become misaligned, serious problems can occur. Recognizing the symptoms of misalignment and treating it promptly is an important part of owning a car!
Wheel misalignment can happen in any car, but are mostly a result of the following:
- Driving on dirt roads or off-road conditions
- Hitting potholes
- Hitting the curb
- Collisions
Misalignment is important to catch, because even a slight misalignment can cause major discrepancy in tire wear, and cost your wallet in the long run. The three major signs of misaligned wheels are:
- When you are driving straight, your wheel is slightly off-center.
- Your steering wheel vibrates.
- When your steering wheel is straight, your car leans slightly in one direction.
Without symptoms, most mechanics recommend you check your alignment every 10,000 km, but each car is different. Check your owner’s manual to find your car’s recommended range for alignment checks. If you need any help, feel free to shoot us a message on chat.