
Does your car pull to one side when you drive straight?
Our research shows that even small misalignments can reduce your tyres' lifespan by thousands of miles.
In this piece, we'll explore seven clear signs that your vehicle needs alignment work. A proper wheel alignment costs as little as £35 for a front toe adjustment.
Does your vehicle veer off course without any steering input?
This kind of persistent drifting ranks among the most common tyre alignment symptoms you'll run into. Let's get into what makes this frustrating issue happen and figure out if misaligned wheels are really the root cause.
That nagging pull on your steering wheel isn't just annoying - it's your car telling you something's wrong. Your vehicle might constantly drift left or right even as you try to drive straight, and misaligned wheels are usually the main suspect.
Misaligned wheels happen when your tyres don't sit at the right angles to the road and each other. Instead of making a perfect rectangle that's parallel to each other and perpendicular to the road, your wheels end up skewed. This creates uneven forces that make your vehicle pull in one direction.
The pull isn't always about alignment, though. Here are other things that could be causing it:
The timing of your car's pull gives important clues. Here's what different scenarios might mean:
You can do some basic checks before heading to the garage to figure out why your car isn't steering straight:
Perform the "hands-off" test Look for a safe, straight, flat road with little traffic. Keep your hands just above the steering wheel (ready to grab it if needed) and watch if your car consistently drifts one way. A car with good alignment should stay pretty straight. Check your tyre pressure Use a good pressure gauge on all four tyres. Look at your manufacturer's recommended pressures (usually listed in your driver's door jamb or manual). Fixing uneven pressure is one of the easiest ways to solve bad wheel alignment symptoms. Look at tyre wear patterns Check your tyres for uneven wear. Misaligned wheels leave specific patterns:The safety risks are serious too. A car that pulls unexpectedly makes it harder to handle emergencies, especially at high speeds or in bad weather.
Your next step should be professional wheel alignment service if your checks point to alignment problems. A technician will use special equipment to measure and fix the three key alignment angles: camber (inward/outward tilt), caster (steering axis angle), and toe (how parallel your wheels look from above).
Your wheels are likely misaligned if your vehicle travels straight but your steering wheel sits at an angle. This happens because your wheels point in the wrong direction, even though your steering wheel tells you otherwise.
A car with proper alignment should have its steering wheel centred (with the logo straight) while driving straight ahead. Your wheels and steering system don't work together properly when this fails to happen.
Several things can make your steering wheel move off-centre:
Driving with an off-centre steering wheel creates more problems than just annoyance:
You can easily identify an off-centre steering wheel:
Visual inspection Look at your steering wheel's position while driving on a flat, straight road. Your manufacturer's logo should be perfectly level with correct alignment. The steering wheel spokes should also be equally positioned on both sides. Measure the deviation Picture your steering wheel as a clock face. A centred wheel points to 12 o'clock. You need to get your alignment checked if it points beyond 11 o'clock or 1 o'clock while driving straight. Road test Pick a safe, flat, straight road with little traffic. Drive steadily and carefully release the wheel briefly. Your car should keep going straight if properly aligned. You likely have an alignment problem if your car drifts while the steering wheel stays angled. Check for accompanying symptoms A crooked steering wheel usually comes with other signs:Your tyres' rubber tells a revealing story about your vehicle's health. Uneven tyre wear patterns act as silent witnesses to alignment problems. These signs often show up before you notice any steering or handling issues. Getting into these patterns gives you valuable clues about your suspension and alignment systems.
You need a systematic approach to spot uneven wear patterns:
Visual Inspection: Park your vehicle on level ground to check the tyres. Look for areas that seem more worn than others or different tread depths from inside to outside edge. Start by comparing wear across each tyre's width rather than between different tyres. Hand Test: Feel the tyre tread with your palm in both directions. Feathered wear feels smooth one way but rough or jagged the other way. Your hands can often detect alignment issues before your eyes. Tread Depth Measurement: You'll need these steps to get a full picture:Check all four tyres since patterns might vary. Front-wheel-drive vehicles' front tyres wear faster, but each tyre should show consistent wear across its surface.
Monthly checks work best alongside tyre pressure verification. Early detection of uneven wear saves money on early tyre replacement and prevents potential suspension damage.
Your hands might be the first to notice something's wrong when you feel those unsettling tremors through your steering wheel. These vibrations travel straight from the road to your fingertips. This uncomfortable shaking isn't just annoying—you should never ignore this warning sign.
You can do a few simple checks before seeing a mechanic. Check all four tyres' pressure since different pressures can throw things off balance. Look at your tyres for bulges, flat spots, or uneven wear that might show alignment problems.
Safety comes first, so don't wait to fix steering wheel vibrations. These vibrations wear out your suspension parts, steering systems, and tyres faster—and repairs get pricey if you ignore them. Bad vibrations can also make it harder to control your car in emergencies.
These vibrations won't fix themselves. A small shimmy today can turn into a big safety problem tomorrow. Quick attention to these bad wheel alignment symptoms usually means simpler, cheaper repairs.Your tyres can make different sound patterns depending on what's causing them. You'll usually hear two main types:
Hissing sounds happen during regular driving when the tyres need average grip. You'll hear these while driving straight, during light braking, speeding up, or taking wide corners at normal speeds. These sounds usually aren't a cause for concern. Squeaking sounds signal a more serious issue. They happen when your tyres reach their grip limits. This higher-pitched squeal usually comes up during emergency stops, hard acceleration, or sharp turns at high speeds.Bad alignment makes tyres squeal at specific times:
The bad alignment forces tyres to drag against the road at the wrong angles, which creates that distinct squeal through increased friction. Most drivers describe it as an irritating, high-pitched screech that's most noticeable at low speeds.
The sound is similar to rubber dragging across a surface instead of rolling smoothly, which is exactly what happens when misaligned wheels push tyres in directions they shouldn't go.
Your steering shows excessive "play" when you can turn the wheel several centimetres each way before your wheels react. This creates a dangerous disconnect between your steering inputs and where your car actually goes.
The typical signs you'll notice:
Your steering system makes different sounds that tell specific stories about problems under your hood:
Whining or moaning shows problems with your power steering system. You'll hear this high-pitched noise most clearly when turning at low speeds. Low power steering fluid, air in the system, or a failing power steering pump could be the cause. The sound is like a continuous, high-pitched groan that gets louder during steering manoeuvres. Clunking or knocking sounds often mean worn components in your steering linkage. You'll hear these noises over bumps or during turns. They sound like metal hitting metal and usually point to loose mounting bolts, damaged steering gear, or worn suspension joints. Squealing or screeching noises usually mean power steering belt problems. A high-pitched screech when you start your vehicle or make sharp turns suggests your drive belt might be slipping, worn out, or needs adjustment. Grinding noises are the most worrying sounds—they often show serious problems with the steering rack or worn bearings. These sounds are like rough metal-on-metal friction and usually mean parts are touching without proper lubrication.The right timing is vital when you deal with steering noises. Get professional help right away if:
Power steering noises don't get better by themselves. Small issues can turn into major repairs if you wait too long. A simple fluid top-up can turn into complete steering system failure if left unchecked.
Professional diagnosis works best with steering noises. You can check fluid levels yourself, but steering systems have complex parts that need special equipment to check properly.
Note that noisy steering usually comes with other tyre alignment symptoms. Your car might pull to one side or show uneven tyre wear, which points to alignment issues.Early detection of these warning signs can save you time, money, and help you avoid safety hazards on the road. This piece has covered the seven most important indicators you should never ignore.
Proper wheel alignment affects almost every aspect of your driving. Your vehicle's handling, tyre longevity, fuel efficiency, and overall safety depend on wheels that work together. Even minor symptoms like an off-centre steering wheel or tyre squealing need attention before they become expensive problems.
Prevention costs less than repairs. A simple alignment service costs between £35-£100, while replacing tyres early due to alignment wear could cost £250-£600 for a set. Poor fuel economy can also drain hundreds of pounds from your wallet each year.
Good alignment protects your investment and ensures safety on every trip.
How can I tell if my car needs a wheel alignment?
Look out for signs like your vehicle pulling to one side, uneven tyre wear, an off-centre steering wheel, vibrations while driving, or squealing tyres during normal turns. If you notice any of these symptoms, it's best to have your alignment checked by a professional.
What are the consequences of driving with poor wheel alignment?
Driving with misaligned wheels can lead to accelerated and uneven tyre wear, reduced fuel efficiency, compromised handling and stability, and potential safety risks, especially during emergency manoeuvres. It can also cause premature wear on suspension components, leading to more expensive repairs down the line.
How often should I have my wheel alignment checked?
Most experts recommend checking your wheel alignment at least annually or after significant impacts like hitting potholes or kerbs. It's also a good idea to have your alignment checked when you replace tyres or suspension components.
Can I check my wheel alignment at home?
While professional equipment is needed for precise alignment, you can perform some basic checks at home. Look for uneven tyre wear, test if your car drives straight on a level road without pulling to one side, and check if your steering wheel is centred when driving straight. However, for accurate diagnosis and adjustment, it's best to visit a professional.
How much does a wheel alignment typically cost?
The cost of a wheel alignment can vary, but it typically ranges from £35 to £100 for a basic service. This is significantly less expensive than the potential costs of premature tyre replacement or fuel inefficiency caused by misalignment. Regular alignment checks can save you money in the long run.
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