Wheel alignment is important because it helps you control your automobile and extends the life of your tires. Generally, you don’t need to worry about aligning your wheels until you’ve driven your automobile for two years or you’ve put a new set of tires on your car, truck, or utility vehicle. You can knock your wheels out of alignment prematurely, however, and Tri Valley Auto Repair & Diesel lists the signs below that you have done just that.
A Crooked Steering Wheel Logo
There is a common visual cue that will let you know that your wheels are not aligned. Look at the manufacturer’s logo in the center of your steering wheel when your wheels are pointed straight. If the logo is tilted to the right or the left, your wheels are not aligned and they need to be realigned. When the wheels are straight, the logo should be straight.
Noises When You Steer
Another sign that your wheel alignment is off is if you hear strange sounds when you steer. You might hear groaning or creaking, or you might hear squealing tires, which we will discuss more below. It is important to understand that any strange sounds when you steer your automobile needs to be looked into right away. If there is a problem with your steering system, you could lose control of your vehicle.
Pulling to the Left or Right
You’ve got the steering wheel pointed straight yet your automobile keeps drifting to the side. What on earth could be wrong? You’re tired of fighting with your vehicle to drive it straight. When the wheel alignment is exact, the wheels are straight facing forward and straight from above. In other words, all of the tire tread is meeting the pavement and your vehicle doesn’t pull.
Rapid and Uneven Tire Tread Wear
If the wheel alignment is off, this means that the tire tread is not flush with the pavement and, as a consequence, you’ll end up with uneven tire tread wear. If your wheels are seriously misaligned, the uneven tire tread wear will happen quickly. This is also a sign that your wheels are not balanced properly, and this needs to be rectified, as well.
Squealing Tires Around Corners
Finally, as mentioned above, misaligned wheels tend to make noise. Because the tire tread is not flush with the pavement, your wheels may start to squeal every time you turn around corners. This, along with the other symptoms listed above, definitely points to a wheel alignment issue that can be corrected easily if you let us realign your wheels.
We are Tri Valley Auto Repair & Diesel in Limon, CO, and you can schedule an appointment for a wheel alignment by calling us today.
