Does Not Straightening the Steering Wheel Affect the Car?
2 Answers
Not straightening the steering wheel does affect the car, and the damages include: 1. If the front wheels are not straightened before parking, it can harm the steering system. The steering linkage cannot return to its neutral position and remains under stress, which can accelerate aging over time; 2. It damages the suspension system. The suspension system will tilt toward the direction the vehicle is turned, causing the soft-support rubber pads and rubber sleeves to remain under stress and wear out faster; 3. It accelerates tire wear. Not straightening the wheels can cause excessive deformation of the tire sidewalls due to stress, leading to faster wear of the sidewalls. The parking sequence: 1. Turn on the right or left turn signal; 2. Lightly press the brake to reduce speed and observe the right-side mirror while driving to the right; 3. When the speed is low, press the clutch pedal and pay attention to the surrounding distance when parking; 4. Once the car is stationary, shift to neutral, turn off the turn signal, engage the handbrake, and turn off the engine.
Not straightening the steering wheel definitely affects the car, and I've learned this the hard way. As someone who's been driving for over a decade, I've noticed that parking with misaligned wheels puts uneven pressure on the steering system. The tie rods and power steering pump endure extra stress, accelerating wear over time, and repair costs aren't cheap. Tires suffer too—parked crookedly, they bear uneven contact pressure, wearing out faster and requiring premature replacement. Starting the engine becomes a hassle as well, with the steering lock sometimes jamming, forcing you to wrestle the wheel straight before ignition. It's exhausting. Now I've developed the small habit of always straightening the wheels before shutting off the engine—it protects the mechanics and saves headaches. Never underestimate these details; they're the key to your car's longevity.
