How to tell if your car's wheel alignment is off

Summary

Car pulls to one side and requires slight steering wheel rotation.
Uneven tire wear signals alignment issues: inner/outer (camber), tread (toe), sawtooth (shocks/balance).
Low-speed squealing tires indicate excessive friction from incorrect wheel angles.
Diagnosis depends on problem history, maintenance, and component replacements affecting geometry.

Wheel alignment is one of the most important parameters of wheel geometry, directly affecting the car’s handling on the road, tire wear, and road safety. When this setting is not optimal, the effects are felt immediately in driving and can lead to higher costs in the long term.

Misaligned geometry shows itself through a variety of symptoms that should not be ignored, as they can affect both driving comfort and road safety. Quick identification of these problems can prevent premature wear of tires and steering system components.

Main symptoms of an incorrect wheel alignment

Steering wheel behavior

The most obvious sign of a defective geometry is abnormal steering behavior. If the car pulls constantly to one side, even on perfectly flat roads, this indicates front wheel misalignment.

Another common issue is the need to keep the steering wheel slightly rotated to maintain the car in a straight line. This phenomenon becomes more evident at higher speeds, when aerodynamic and rolling forces increase.

Uneven tire wear

Uneven tire wear is a clear indicator of geometry problems. This wear can be:

On the inner or outer edge — indicates camber issues (wheel tilt)
On the tread — suggests toe-in/toe-out (convergence)
In a sawtooth shape — may indicate issues with shocks or balancing

Unusual tire noises

Tires can emit a characteristic squeal when turning at very low speeds. This noise arises from excessive friction between tire and asphalt, caused by incorrect wheel angles.

Professional diagnosis — essential questions

For an accurate diagnosis, the mechanic will need detailed information about the problem history:

photo of driver at the wheel

History of the problem

When did you first notice the problem? It is crucial to determine whether the issue appeared suddenly (perhaps after an impact) or developed gradually over time. A sudden onset may indicate a hit on a curb or a pothole, while a progressive worsening suggests wear of components.

Wheel speed sensor and its role in the ABS system

Wheel speed sensors are essential components of modern vehicle safety systems. Present on every wheel of vehicles equipp...

Frequency of the symptoms provides important clues. If the car pulls on the steering wheel only on certain types of roads (tilted) or under certain conditions (during braking), the problem may be more complex than a simple misalignment.

Recent maintenance

Tire pressure — incorrect pressure can mimic the symptoms of a faulty wheel alignment. Tire pressure should be checked regularly, because differences in pressure between left and right tires can cause pulling to one side.

Tire rotation — if you recently rotated the tires and the problem appeared after that, a tire with uneven wear may have been moved to a position where the defect becomes more evident.