Under What Circumstances Should a Wheel Alignment Be Performed?
3 Answers
When driving, if you experience heavy steering, shaking, pulling to one side, misalignment, or the steering wheel not returning to center, or if you notice abnormal tire wear such as uneven wear, scalloped wear, block wear, or cupping, as well as sensations of floating, bumpiness, or swaying while driving, a wheel alignment should be performed. Here are the details: 1. Tire pressure and tread wear: Uneven tire wear indicates a problem with the tires, steering system, or suspension. 2. Wheel wobble: Wobble is a condition where the tire rotates unevenly due to various reasons. Wheel and tire wobble refers to irregular up-and-down or side-to-side movement. Side-to-side movement is known as lateral wobble, while up-and-down movement is referred to as radial wobble. Vibration issues related to wobble can only be resolved by identifying the source of the wobble. 3. Vehicle pulling: Pulling occurs when the vehicle drifts to one side while driving straight on a level road with no external force applied to the steering wheel.
I remember when I first started driving, I had no idea what wheel alignment was. Later, I noticed that the car always pulled to the right on the highway, and I had to constantly tug the steering wheel to the left, which was exhausting. Upon closer inspection, the inner edges of the tires were almost completely worn out, while the outer edges were fine. The mechanic told me that the suspension system was misaligned and needed an alignment adjustment. Another issue is that after hitting a curb or driving through deep potholes, the suspension can easily get damaged, causing the wheels to go out of alignment and making the car unstable. If you replace tires without doing an alignment, the new tires can wear out in just a few months, which is a huge waste of money. Now, I make it a habit to get a professional check-up every 10,000 kilometers or after driving on rough roads. Not only is it much safer, but the tires also last longer, and I feel much more at ease when driving on the highway—it’s a real peace of mind.
With children in our family, we pay extra attention to driving safety. I've learned that wheel alignment is mainly necessary in several situations. After a car accident, even a minor collision, if the suspension or wheel rim is deformed, incorrect alignment can cause the vehicle to pull to one side, which is particularly dangerous on highways. Another strong signal is when tires show severe wear on one side, commonly known as 'tire cupping.' If the steering system feels heavy or unresponsive, it's essential to check it immediately; otherwise, the handling will be poor, and fuel consumption will increase. During daily driving, if the car makes unusual noises after passing through rough roads, it's also worth considering an alignment check. For prevention, we check the wheel alignment every two years or during regular vehicle maintenance to ensure the wheels are parallel and at the correct angles. This ensures even tire wear, lower fuel consumption, a smooth ride for the kids, and peace of mind on long trips.
