What is the reason for the car pulling to one side?
2 Answers
Reasons for the car pulling to one side: 1. Poor return or incomplete separation of a wheel's brake; 2. Unequal tire pressure causing tires to become different in size; 3. Deformation of shock absorber springs, resulting in inconsistent cushioning on both sides; 4. Different tread patterns on the tires or uneven tread depth and height; 5. Excessive wear and abnormal gaps in the vehicle's chassis components; 6. Failure of the front shock absorber; 7. Overall deformation of the vehicle frame. Car pulling refers to the phenomenon where the car, while driving straight on a flat road, tends to veer to one side, causing the line connecting the centers of the front and rear axles to deviate from the centerline of the driving trajectory. Mild pulling can lead to tire wear and scrapping, while severe cases may cause dangerous situations such as tire blowouts and loss of vehicle control.
The car I drove before also had a drifting issue, which was usually caused by uneven tire pressure on the left and right sides. For example, if the left side was lower than the right, the car would drift to the left. Uneven tire wear is another common reason; if one side is severely worn and the tread depth varies, the vehicle will naturally drift toward the more worn side when driving straight. If components of the suspension system, such as shock absorbers or control arms, are deformed or damaged, they can lose balance and cause drifting. Additionally, incorrect four-wheel alignment, with significant deviations in toe or camber angles, can make the car veer off course. Safety-wise, this should not be ignored—drifting on highways can easily lead to lane departures and accidents. You can perform simple checks yourself, such as inspecting tire pressure and observing tire wear. If the issue persists, it's best to visit a professional shop for a comprehensive diagnosis and adjustment. For prevention, it's recommended to check tire pressure monthly and perform four-wheel alignment maintenance every six months. Don’t underestimate such problems—last time, I delayed addressing a minor issue and ended up spending more money on suspension repairs later.
