Proper wheel alignment is a vital part of preserving the life of your tires and ensuring your safety while on the road. Unfortunately, your wheels can easily be knocked out of alignment by something as simple as hitting a curb or running over a pothole. This is why it is so important that you are able to spot the signs that your vehicle is in need of an alignment. The good news is, correcting alignment issues is typically a quick and affordable process. Once you identify the issue, visit your local service center to have these problems addressed. Keeping your eyes open for either of the warning signs discussed below can help you to know when it is time for you to head to a local auto service center for an alignment inspection or service.

Your Vehicle Pulls To One Side 

While you may think that this warning sign would be extremely obvious, minor wheel alignment issues will often result in such a slight pull that drivers will often compensate for without even realizing they are doing it. As the alignment problems grow worse, the pulling will also continue to get worse until it becomes a serious safety hazard. However, there is no need to wait for this issue to become severe in order to detect its presence. If you suspect that your wheels may be out of alignment, you can perform a simple test to see if your vehicle is in fact pulling to one side or the other.

Select a parking lot or other secluded area where you will be able to safely drive at low speeds for a few minutes. Be sure that the location you choose offers level ground, otherwise, your results will be inconclusive at best. Now, simply drive in a straight line at low speeds for a moment or two without placing your hands on the steering wheel. If your vehicle goes straight, your alignment is spot on. However, if your vehicle drifts to one side, there is a good chance that your wheels require an alignment. 

Your Tires Are Wearing Out Unevenly

When your wheel alignment is not right, your tires are sure to tell the tale. If your wheels are out of alignment, the tread on your tires will wear out unevenly since your tires are not making proper contact with the road surface. This issue can result in the tires on one side of your vehicle wearing out more quickly than the other side. Or, one side of a specific tire wears down more quickly than the rest of the tire. If you spot either of these uneven wear patterns on your vehicle, you will want to take your vehicle in to have the alignment checked as soon as possible. A failure to address this issue before replacing your tires will only result in wasted money as your tires will continue to wear out quickly until the alignment issues have been corrected. 

Contact an auto service for more information regarding wheel alignment.