There are recommendations in your car’s owner’s manual for how often you should have an alignment done, but that’s just a recommendation. The truth is that you might need an alignment before that mileage date on the service list. Gulf Breeze Automotive has these tips for you about recognizing that your car needs an alignment.
Your Car Just Doesn’t Handle Right
Have you ever had that feeling that your car just doesn’t feel like it’s handling right? That might sound vague, but there’s more to it than you might be able to explain to someone. The truth is that you’re used to certain things when it comes to driving your car. And when it just feels off somehow, that’s something to pay attention to.
The Steering Wheel Is Off Center
When the car is pointed forward and you know that the wheels are lined up to travel straight ahead, where’s the center of the top of the steering wheel? If your alignment is off, your steering wheel might be off-center at the top, too. This is another seemingly minor situation that can tell you quite a bit if you’re paying attention.
Your Tires Are Wearing Unevenly and You’ve Ruled Out Other Causes
One of the biggest benefits of checking your tires regularly is that you’re more likely to recognize uneven tire wear very quickly after it starts happening. There can be several causes for this, like incorrect tire pressure or unbalanced wheels. But if you’ve ruled out those other issues, then the alignment may be the solution you’re seeking.
The Steering Pulls When You’re Driving
Probably the number one way that most car owners realize that they need an alignment is that the car starts to pull when driving. It’s never a good idea to just let go of the wheel when you’re driving, so don’t try that test that lots of random people recommend. What you’re feeling for is that as you’re driving along, the car is trying to go in one direction and you’re having to overcompensate to keep it going straight ahead. As the alignment goes farther out of whack, the pull gets stronger.
Need a second opinion about your car’s alignment issues? Gulf Breeze Automotive in Gulf Breeze FL can do the diagnostics on that for you. Then our technicians can handle putting your car’s wheels back into proper alignment. We can also help with other issues your car might be having.