Some car problems are gradual and are barely noticeable in the early stages. This is why it’s important to recognize the signs of wheel alignment issues, even though the symptoms may not be as apparent. When the wheels are out of alignment, they aren’t fully parallel to one another, resulting in shotty controls.
When all four tires are perfectly aligned, they should all wear out at the same rate. If there are alignment issues, the outer edges of the treads wear out faster than the center tread area. This affects the tires’ gripping ability, not to mention the tires will wear prematurely, with one or two tires wearing out before the others. Consequently, you’ll need to replace the tires one or two at a time, rather than all at once. This is both a time and money waster.
Even if you keep the steering wheel straight, you may notice the car slowly drift to the next lane. This happens because the wheels aren’t fully lined up with the vehicle’s frame. Instead, they’re slightly pointed in the direction of the veering.
If the car is drifting in one direction, you’ll have to actively apply effort to keep the steering wheel straight. Otherwise, you involuntarily move into the next lane. This is a clear indicator that the wheels are misaligned, and the treads also have significant wear.
Wheel alignment problems can happen to any car type, from SUVs to pickup trucks. If any of the above symptoms become apparent, contact Sea Tac Tire and Auto Tech to schedule a repair. Our maintenance advisor can assess the tires for wheel alignment, balance, and tread wear issues. We also carry tires from established brands.
Serving Puyallup, Graham, Orting and Bonney Lake
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