How to Determine if the Wheels are Straightened?
2 Answers
If you are unable to determine whether the vehicle's tires are in a straightened state, you can lower the window to check the wheels, then fine-tune the steering wheel based on the wheel's position. Maintain the angle of the steering wheel and move the vehicle forward or backward a few meters, and you can basically determine the position where the steering wheel stops.
The steering wheel position is the most intuitive indicator after parking. If the emblem in the center of the steering wheel is aligned straight, the wheels are basically straightened. I’ve developed a habit of glancing at the tire direction when getting out of the car—if they’re parallel to the car body, it’s correct. If the parking space has marked lines, aligning the wheels with them is also a good method. When starting the vehicle, lightly press the accelerator; if the car moves straight, it means the wheels are aligned. If it veers to one side, adjust the direction immediately. I remember when I first started driving, I often forgot to straighten the wheels, which led to faster wear on the steering linkage and unnecessary repair costs. Now, I pay attention to the steering wheel before parking, always turning it back one and a half turns after full lock—getting familiar with the feel is crucial. When tire pressure is low, the judgment of wheel alignment can be off, so checking the tire pressure as well is a safer practice.
