How to Determine if the Wheels are Straightened?

[Crystal]

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.

[SanIsabelle]

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.

[StNorah]

Checking if the steering wheel emblem is aligned is the simplest method. I often forget to straighten the wheels after reversing into a parking space, so I've developed a habit of checking the steering wheel position after parking. Sometimes when the wheels are against the curb, getting out to observe the distance between the tires and the curb can be very helpful. If there's a reference object nearby, like a garage wall, parallel alignment between the wheels and the wall usually means they're straight. I remember one time when I didn't pay attention and the car immediately veered toward the greenbelt upon starting - I had to brake in panic. Now I also take photos of the front wheel positions with my phone; it's easier to judge if they're straightened in the pictures. Frequently leaving wheels unaligned can cause uneven stress on the suspension system and lead to irregular tire wear.

[McKaylee]

Steering wheel free play can indicate alignment. After turning off the engine, gently turn the steering wheel – if the left-right movement range is symmetrical, the wheels are generally straight. I always check tire tread patterns after parking; when properly aligned, the tread direction runs parallel to the vehicle body. In underground mall parking lots, I often reference ground markings – when tire edges align parallel with parking space lines, it's correctly positioned. Uneven tire pressure affects judgment; only accurate when pressures are normal. Pay attention during ignition too – if the car moves straight forward, wheels are aligned; if veering, adjust immediately. Mechanics warn that prolonged misaligned steering increases power steering fluid leakage risks.

[OAlexis]

I mainly rely on two methods: one is to check if the logo in the center of the steering wheel is vertical, and the other is to get out of the car and observe the direction of the tires. When parking in the neighborhood, I often use nearby vehicles as reference points—if the tire direction matches the neighboring car, it's usually correct. After reversing, I always turn the steering wheel an extra half turn before straightening it, which helps the steering wheel return to center more accurately. Before starting the car, I gently press the accelerator to test—if the car doesn't pull to either side, I confirm the wheels are straight. A friend's car had to have its entire steering linkage replaced because the wheels were often left misaligned for long periods. Now, I always double-check after parking, especially on rainy days when misaligned wheels can cause skidding during startup.