5 Signs You Might Need a Car Alignment
Squealing tires. A loose steering wheel. Veering to one side. These are all classic signs your wheels may be out of alignment.
When your wheels are aligned, your car drives straight with minimal drifting. The tires wear evenly and last longer. And your steering wheel doesn't shake or vibrate excessively at high speeds.
But over time, potholes, curbs, and everyday driving can knock your wheels out of alignment. How do you know when to bring your car in for an alignment? Here are five signs you might need a car alignment in Killeen, TX.
Sign 1: Your Car Pulls to One Side
If your car pulls to one side while driving, it's a clear sign you may need a wheel alignment in Killeen, TX. This is usually due to incorrect tire angling, causing the tires to point in different directions and requiring you to grip the wheel firmly to drive straight.
This pulling strains your suspension components like ball joints and bushings and leads to uneven tire wear, shortening their lifespan. Ignoring your car pulling to one side can lead to uneven tire wear that shortens the lifespan of your tires and potentially causes blowouts.
In front-wheel-drive vehicles, bad motor mounts often cause the car to pull to one side when under torque, which could lead to other mechanical issues over time. Most importantly, losing control of the steering wheel can become a significant safety hazard, especially on long road trips.
So, if your car drifts or needs minor steering corrections to stay on track, get an alignment check promptly. Don't overlook this issue; it's a potential safety risk and can negatively impact your vehicle's performance.
Sign 2: Your Steering Wheel Is Off Center
Another common sign that your vehicle may need an alignment is if your steering wheel is off-center. While driving straight, you will notice that your steering wheel isn't centered-it's turned either to the right or left. It can be a significant safety hazard, especially in slippery conditions.
Driving with an off-center steering wheel means always adjusting to keep your car moving straight. This constant correcting can not only be tiring, but it can also lead to dizziness or motion sickness on long drives. It's like walking in a straight line while spinning-not a pleasant experience!
Ignoring this issue can lead to severe consequences. Driving with an off-center steering wheel can cause discomfort, motion sickness, uneven tire wear, and poor gas mileage. Over time, this can add up to significant costs.
We recommend checking your wheel alignment near Killeen, TX, every six months or 5,000 miles to avoid these issues. Alignments help keep your steering wheel centered, improving driving control and comfort.
Sign 3: Your Tires Are Wearing Down Unevenly
Uneven tire wear is another sign that your wheels need alignment. If you notice that one edge of your tire is wearing down faster than the other, it's time to consider getting an alignment.
Tire lifespan can vary depending on driving habits, road conditions, and tire maintenance. Let's look at how alignment affects this.
According to Consumer Reports, family-car tires can last 70,000 miles or more with proper care, which includes regular alignments.
But a slight misalignment could shorten tire life by a few thousand miles, and a significant misalignment could wear tires out in a few hundred miles. This stark difference underscores the importance of regular alignments in maintaining your tires' lifespan.
Rotating your tires to deal with uneven wear is a temporary fix. While it can help equalize wear across all four tires, it needs to address the root cause of the problem-misalignment. Without correcting the alignment, you'll be dealing with the same issue again.
Sign 4: Your Steering Wheel Doesn't Return to Center
When you make a turn, your steering wheel should return to the center on its own as soon as you let go. When this doesn't happen, and your wheel stays turned toward your last turn, it can be a sign that your wheels are out of alignment.
This issue is more than an annoyance; it's also a safety concern. When driving at higher speeds and making lane changes or turns, your steering wheel must be in the center position. If it's not, your car may pull suddenly, causing a potential accident.
Ignoring this sign can also lead to uneven tire wear, as the vehicle will drag one tire along while the other tries to roll forward. This scenario is like pushing a shopping cart with wheels that aren't aligned, causing the car to pull to one side.
Sign 5: Your Car Is Shaking
If your vehicle vibrates while you're driving, it might be more than a rough road or a high speed. This could be a sign that your wheels are unaligned.
A shaking or vibrating car feels like you're driving over rumble strips. The steering wheel shakes in your hands, and you can feel the vibration in your seat and through the floor pedals. It isn't a bumpy ride; it suggests that your car's alignment is off.
A shaking car can also exacerbate other mechanical problems. The continuous shaking puts pressure on various car components like wheel bearings, ball joints, and bushings.
Your vehicle's manufacturer designed it to handle some pressure. But constant vibration can speed up wear and tear, leading to costly repairs later.
Time for a Car Alignment in Killeen, TX
Don't wait for the problems to worsen. Minor car alignment issues become major ones. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms in your daily driving, your vehicle needs a tire alignment service in Killeen, TX.
Neglecting these alignment problems leads to blowouts, loss of control, and breakdowns. Don't put it off-align your wheels before it's too late.
Phil's Services can restore like-new handling and steering with our precision alignment equipment. Take your car to Phil's Services, the only auto shop in Killeen with ASE Blue Seal of Excellence certified technicians.
Schedule an Appointment Online or call 254-616-1659 to schedule the best wheel alignment in Killeen, TX. Your car will thank you! We look forward to realigning your ride and getting you back on the road!
What are the signs you might need a car alignment? Contact the wheel alignment specialists at Phil's service for an inspection of your vehicle.
Squealing tires. A loose steering wheel. Veering to one side. These are all classic signs your wheels may be out of alignment.
When your wheels are aligned, your car drives straight with minimal drifting. The tires wear evenly and last longer. And your steering wheel doesn't shake or vibrate excessively at high speeds.
But over time, potholes, curbs, and everyday driving can knock your wheels out of alignment. How do you know when to bring your car in for an alignment? Here are five signs you might need a car alignment in Killeen, TX.
Sign 1: Your Car Pulls to One Side
If your car pulls to one side while driving, it's a clear sign you may need a wheel alignment in Killeen, TX. This is usually due to incorrect tire angling, causing the tires to point in different directions and requiring you to grip the wheel firmly to drive straight.
This pulling strains your suspension components like ball joints and bushings and leads to uneven tire wear, shortening their lifespan. Ignoring your car pulling to one side can lead to uneven tire wear that shortens the lifespan of your tires and potentially causes blowouts.
In front-wheel-drive vehicles, bad motor mounts often cause the car to pull to one side when under torque, which could lead to other mechanical issues over time. Most importantly, losing control of the steering wheel can become a significant safety hazard, especially on long road trips.
So, if your car drifts or needs minor steering corrections to stay on track, get an alignment check promptly. Don't overlook this issue; it's a potential safety risk and can negatively impact your vehicle's performance.
Sign 2: Your Steering Wheel Is Off Center
Another common sign that your vehicle may need an alignment is if your steering wheel is off-center. While driving straight, you will notice that your steering wheel isn't centered-it's turned either to the right or left. It can be a significant safety hazard, especially in slippery conditions.
Driving with an off-center steering wheel means always adjusting to keep your car moving straight. This constant correcting can not only be tiring, but it can also lead to dizziness or motion sickness on long drives. It's like walking in a straight line while spinning-not a pleasant experience!
Ignoring this issue can lead to severe consequences. Driving with an off-center steering wheel can cause discomfort, motion sickness, uneven tire wear, and poor gas mileage. Over time, this can add up to significant costs.
We recommend checking your wheel alignment near Killeen, TX, every six months or 5,000 miles to avoid these issues. Alignments help keep your steering wheel centered, improving driving control and comfort.
Sign 3: Your Tires Are Wearing Down Unevenly
Uneven tire wear is another sign that your wheels need alignment. If you notice that one edge of your tire is wearing down faster than the other, it's time to consider getting an alignment.
Tire lifespan can vary depending on driving habits, road conditions, and tire maintenance. Let's look at how alignment affects this.
According to Consumer Reports, family-car tires can last 70,000 miles or more with proper care, which includes regular alignments.
But a slight misalignment could shorten tire life by a few thousand miles, and a significant misalignment could wear tires out in a few hundred miles. This stark difference underscores the importance of regular alignments in maintaining your tires' lifespan.
Rotating your tires to deal with uneven wear is a temporary fix. While it can help equalize wear across all four tires, it needs to address the root cause of the problem-misalignment. Without correcting the alignment, you'll be dealing with the same issue again.
Sign 4: Your Steering Wheel Doesn't Return to Center
When you make a turn, your steering wheel should return to the center on its own as soon as you let go. When this doesn't happen, and your wheel stays turned toward your last turn, it can be a sign that your wheels are out of alignment.
This issue is more than an annoyance; it's also a safety concern. When driving at higher speeds and making lane changes or turns, your steering wheel must be in the center position. If it's not, your car may pull suddenly, causing a potential accident.
Ignoring this sign can also lead to uneven tire wear, as the vehicle will drag one tire along while the other tries to roll forward. This scenario is like pushing a shopping cart with wheels that aren't aligned, causing the car to pull to one side.
Sign 5: Your Car Is Shaking
If your vehicle vibrates while you're driving, it might be more than a rough road or a high speed. This could be a sign that your wheels are unaligned.
A shaking or vibrating car feels like you're driving over rumble strips. The steering wheel shakes in your hands, and you can feel the vibration in your seat and through the floor pedals. It isn't a bumpy ride; it suggests that your car's alignment is off.
A shaking car can also exacerbate other mechanical problems. The continuous shaking puts pressure on various car components like wheel bearings, ball joints, and bushings.
Your vehicle's manufacturer designed it to handle some pressure. But constant vibration can speed up wear and tear, leading to costly repairs later.
Time for a Car Alignment in Killeen, TX
Don't wait for the problems to worsen. Minor car alignment issues become major ones. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms in your daily driving, your vehicle needs a tire alignment service in Killeen, TX.
Neglecting these alignment problems leads to blowouts, loss of control, and breakdowns. Don't put it off-align your wheels before it's too late.
Phil's Services can restore like-new handling and steering with our precision alignment equipment. Take your car to Phil's Services, the only auto shop in Killeen with ASE Blue Seal of Excellence certified technicians.
Schedule an Appointment Online or call 254-616-1659 to schedule the best wheel alignment in Killeen, TX. Your car will thank you! We look forward to realigning your ride and getting you back on the road!
