What to Do If the Car Pulls to One Side?
2 Answers
The solutions for a car pulling to one side are: 1. Replace the suspension springs—if the car leans to the left, slightly adjust the steering to the right; if it leans to the right, slightly adjust the steering to the left. 2. Rotate or replace the tires. 3. If the car leans to the left, slightly adjust the steering to the right; if it leans to the right, slightly adjust the steering to the left. The reasons for a car pulling to one side include: 1. Excessive wear on one side of the tires. 2. Damage to the ball joints or shock absorbers. 3. Uneven tire pressure on both sides of the vehicle. 4. Deformation or poor performance of components in the vehicle's suspension system. Directional pull refers to the phenomenon where the car, while driving straight on a flat road, naturally drifts to one side, causing the centerline of the front and rear axles to deviate from the centerline of the driving trajectory.
When the car pulls to one side while driving, I immediately pull over to check because safety comes first. The most common issue is uneven tire pressure; a significant difference between the left and right front tires can cause the car to drift to one side. Use a tire pressure gauge to measure and refer to the standard values on the label near the door—if it's low, inflate the tire. If the pressure is normal, uneven tire wear or differing tread depths might be the cause, so consider rotating the tires. If the problem persists, it's likely an issue with the wheel alignment, requiring a professional repair shop to adjust the suspension angles with specialized equipment. Don’t overlook faults in the suspension system or brake components, such as a broken shock absorber, which can also cause the car to pull. I once experienced a high-speed drift that nearly caused an accident, so I recommend regular alignment checks during maintenance to prevent issues. New drivers should be especially vigilant and test whether the steering wheel drifts when released before driving.
