Part of being a car owner is knowing when it’s time to bring your car into an auto shop in Denver. One issue you need to keep an eye on is your car’s alignment. But, if you don’t know much about cars, you may not know how to tell if the alignment needs to be checked. Next time you get behind the wheel, look for these signs that may indicate an alignment issue:
Unusual Tire Wear
Take a look at your tires to determine if you see any unusual patterns of wear. If you spot signs of wear only on the inside or outside edges of your tires, this could indicate you have a problem with the camber adjustment. Feathered wear patterns, which means the tread is lower on one side than it is on the other, could signal a toe adjustment problem. It can be difficult for you to spot these problems without the help of a mechanic, so be sure to bring your vehicle in for regular tire rotations and inspections so a mechanic can check for alignment issues as well. Learn more about tire tread wear and causes.
Drifting to One Side
You may have been told to remove your hands from the steering wheel to determine if your car is pulling to one side or the other. Not only is this dangerous, but it’s not a good way to test your alignment. Even the slightest bump in the road can cause your car to veer slightly to the side, so you shouldn’t expect it to always drive in a straight line when your hands aren’t on the wheel. However, you shouldn’t have to put much effort into driving in a straight line. If you find that you have to use a lot of muscle to control the steering wheel and keep your car straight, you probably have an issue with alignment.
Off-Center Steering Wheel
The next time you’re driving down a straight road that is fairly smooth, glance down at your steering wheel. What position is it in? If you don’t have an alignment issue, the steering wheel should be almost perfectly centered. It’s ok if it’s a little bit off to one side, but if it’s not centered in the slightest, you have an alignment issue that needs to be addressed.
You should also pay attention to your steering wheel after turning your car left or right. After making a turn, the steering wheel should naturally try to center itself. If it doesn’t do this, this indicates you have a problem with your alignment.
If you think it’s time to have your alignment checked, don’t forget to schedule an appointment with the experts at Mancinelli’s Auto Repair Center. You can request an auto repair appointment with Mancinelli’s Auto Repair Center online, or you can also text us. We have same day services available on most work and we also offer our customers access to a convenient, free shuttle to make sure you and your vehicle are taken care of.