Under What Circumstances Does a Car Need a Wheel Alignment?
2 Answers
Regarding the situations where a car needs a wheel alignment, the following points are relevant: 1. The vehicle's driving performance is affected (the most direct feeling for the driver is the car pulling to one side or the steering wheel not returning to center automatically). 2. Damage to the chassis and suspension caused by an accident. 3. Abnormal tire wear (but it's also necessary to consider whether the abnormal wear is due to incorrect tire pressure. Overinflation can intensify wear on the center of the tread, while underinflation can intensify wear on both sides of the tread. If one side shows uneven wear, it might be due to a camber angle deviation). 4. The axle or suspension components have been disassembled.
After driving for over a decade, I've noticed many situations require wheel alignment. The most common is after a collision or driving over potholes, when the wheels become misaligned and the steering wheel noticeably tilts left or right. Another sign is uneven tire wear, like one side wearing out faster than the other, indicating incorrect wheel angles. Not fixing this means wasting money on premature tire replacements. Also, if your car pulls to one side while driving or the steering wheel shakes at high speeds, it could be an alignment issue. I always recommend checking every 10,000 kilometers because daily bumps gradually shift the alignment. Neglecting it not only cuts tire lifespan in half but also increases fuel consumption. In severe cases, braking distance lengthens, which is quite dangerous. An alignment doesn't cost much but saves a lot of trouble—remember, safety first!
