What Constitutes Vehicle Pulling?
3 Answers
When driving with the steering wheel held steady, the vehicle should generally maintain a straight trajectory under normal circumstances. Any deviation to the left or right is referred to as vehicle pulling. Below is an introduction to this phenomenon: 1. Symptoms: The vehicle may exhibit either irregular left-right directional deviations or consistent directional pulling during operation. The car body may sway with a noticeable dragging sensation. 2. Causes: Inconsistent braking force between wheels (particularly on the steering axle), uncoordinated movement of suspension guide rods and steering linkage during braking, improper loading distribution on either side of the vehicle, or differing road surface traction coefficients between left and right wheels.
The so-called car pulling refers to when driving, even though you haven't touched the steering wheel, the car keeps veering to the left or right, as if it's fighting with the road. I often test it on the highway: find a flat straight section, let go of the wheel for a few seconds, and if the car quickly drifts out of the lane or requires constant steering adjustments to stay straight, then it's definitely pulling. As for the reasons, I've experienced it several times—the most common being tire issues, such as uneven tire pressure or uneven wear, making the car move erratically like it's limping. Additionally, misaligned wheels, worn suspension systems, or the road itself having a slope can also cause this. If not fixed promptly, driving becomes exhausting and increases the risk of accidents. So whenever I notice something off, I get it checked immediately—safety always comes first.
In my years of driving, I've come to define pulling this way: when driving straight under normal road conditions, if you take your hands off the wheel and the car noticeably drifts out of the lane within 5 seconds, with a deviation exceeding half a meter, that basically confirms there's an issue. This often stems from daily minor oversights. Last time, I encountered uneven tire wear because I always parked on the same side of a slope; if there are loose or damaged parts in the steering system, it can also make the car hard to control. Pulling not only wastes fuel but also makes driving tense, especially in rain or snow when it's more dangerous and prone to skidding or losing control. So now, I regularly perform wheel balancing and check tire pressure to prevent problems before they occur—this trick is super practical.
