How to Tell if Your Car is Driving Straight
2 Answers
Stay relaxed while driving. Generally, if the steering wheel is straight, the car body won't deviate significantly. During driving, always keep your vision focused far ahead. When you notice the car body drifting, make adjustments promptly. When driving straight at higher speeds with consistent velocity, the car is less likely to veer off course. Find reference points such as the lane divider lines in the middle of the road. After identifying references, maintain a certain distance and monitor them with your peripheral vision.
To check if the car is aligned straight while driving, I mainly use a distant reference point as my aiming line. For example, I select a fixed object at the center of the road, like a utility pole or road sign, and align the car directly toward it. This way, any slight deviation in the steering wheel becomes noticeable. Additionally, I glance down briefly to check the position of the steering wheel and tires—if the wheel is centered and shows no tendency to tilt, the car is likely straight. Keeping the car parallel to the roadside lines is also crucial. Ensure the lines appear symmetrical in both side mirrors, avoiding one side being too close or too far. During practice, I intentionally test this a few times on open roads to reinforce this visual feedback habit and prevent distractions from phone navigation that might cause misalignment. Remember, unstable straight-line driving can lead to lane drifting or accidents, so developing good habits ensures safety and comfort.