Car Pulling to One Side? Signs You Need an Alignment

Does your steering wheel pull to one side? Are your tires wearing unevenly? Your vehicle may be telling you it's time for an alignment — but a pull isn't always the alignment, and it helps to know the difference.

Signs Your Alignment Is Off

• Your vehicle drifts left or right on a straight, level road
• The steering wheel is off-center when you're driving straight
• Tires are wearing faster on the inside or outside edge
• The steering feels loose or wanders at highway speed
• You recently hit a pothole or curb, or had new tires or suspension parts installed

It's Not Always the Alignment

A pull can come from a few other places, which is why we check before we adjust:

• Uneven tire pressure. A low tire on one side is the most common — and cheapest — cause. Check your pressures first.
• A tire problem. A tire with an internal defect can pull the car even when the alignment is perfect.
• A sticking brake caliper. Especially if the pull gets worse when you brake. See what your brakes are telling you.
• Worn steering or suspension parts. Tie rod ends, ball joints, and control arm bushings with play in them won't hold an alignment.

Most roads also have a slight crown for drainage, so a very gentle drift toward the shoulder can be normal. A pull you have to keep correcting is not.

What Bad Alignment Costs You

Misalignment wears tires unevenly — often on the inner edge, where it's hard to spot — and can cost you a set of tires long before the tread should be gone. It also makes the vehicle harder to control on wet roads or in a sudden maneuver. Our longer guide, Wheel Alignment: Why It Matters for Your Safety & Wallet, covers the details.

Wheel Alignments at 239 Mechanics

At 239 Mechanics in Cape Coral, we provide professional wheel alignments to help improve handling, reduce uneven tire wear, and keep your vehicle driving the way it should:

• Wheel alignments
• Steering & suspension inspections
• Tire-wear diagnosis
• Cars, SUVs & trucks

Serving Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and Southwest Florida. Call (239) 766-7991 and schedule your alignment before uneven wear costs you a set of tires — and check our current specials for alignment pricing.