Is There Any Harm to the Car if the Steering Wheel Is Not Straight?
2 Answers
Not keeping the steering wheel straight can indeed harm the car, with the following potential damages: 1. It causes uneven force distribution on the tires, accelerating the aging and deformation of the tire sidewalls, leading to air leakage or blowouts; 2. It accelerates the aging or deformation of steering mechanism components, resulting in vehicle deviation and uneven tire wear; 3. It leads to the aging of shock-absorbing rubber in the suspension system, causing play in the connection points of the suspension's swing arms and links, and the greater the play, the more severe the wear on the suspension system. Methods to avoid leaving the steering wheel unstraightened: 1. Observe the angle of the steering wheel after parking; 2. Judge based on the number of turns of the steering wheel; 3. Adjust by moving the vehicle forward or backward; 4. Stick your head out of the window to observe the angle of the tires.
Not returning the steering wheel to the correct position can indeed cause damage to the vehicle. For several months in a row, I parked without straightening the steering wheel for convenience, and later noticed significant uneven wear on the front tires, especially rapid wear on the inner side. The mechanic told me that because the tires were being forcibly pulled for a long time, the force distribution was very uneven, leading to the need for replacement in less than a year. Additionally, the rack and pinion in the steering system remain under constant tension, which over time makes the steering feel stiff and increases play. Moreover, parking under the sun in summer with the tires twisted can cause them to harden and age prematurely. Now, I make sure to turn the wheel an extra half turn to straighten it when parking, saving money on tire replacements and making steering smoother. Developing this habit is actually quite important for vehicle maintenance.
