What to Do When You Can't Tell if the Car is Pulling to One Side While Driving Straight?
2 Answers
Choosing a Reference Point Eyes alone cannot serve as the sole criterion for judgment. The direction of the car also requires selecting appropriate reference points, such as lane markings or roadside trees, and then aligning them with peripheral vision. Below is an introduction to car pulling: Introduction: Car pulling refers to the phenomenon where a vehicle, while driving straight on a flat road, naturally drifts to one side, causing the line connecting the centers of the front and rear axles to not align with the central line of the driving trajectory. Hazards: Minor pulling can lead to uneven tire wear or tire damage, while severe cases may result in dangerous situations such as tire blowouts or loss of vehicle control. Symptoms: Typically, a car driving 1000 meters on a flat, straight road should maintain a deviation within four to five meters. Exceeding this range indicates that the car is experiencing pulling.
This is a pretty common issue, and I think many times we don't notice it ourselves because we get used to it. If you don't feel any deviation when driving straight, first confirm whether there's really no deviation or if there's a potential problem. I suggest finding a straight and flat road to test it out. Gently release the steering wheel for a second or two to see if the car drifts to one side. If it does, that indicates a problem—it could be uneven tire pressure or severe wear. Getting a four-wheel alignment check at a repair shop in time can prevent more serious suspension damage later. Remember to check the tire pressure before daily driving to ensure all tires are at the same level. Both overinflation and underinflation can cause unstable driving, especially for older cars that need regular tire maintenance. Safety first—don't wait until there's a problem to regret it. Developing this habit can save you both worry and money.
