You may think you are spared whenever you hit a curb or fly through a pothole, but it may not always be the case. These nasty road obstacles can wreak havoc if you are not careful. More specifically, they can cause your wheels to go out of alignment. A wheel misalignment means that you have at least one of your wheels pointing in the wrong direction. You will probably face a lot of difficulty handling your vehicle, but you will be exposed to more road hazards as a result. Here are several symptoms that indicate you are due for a wheel alignment:

Sign #1: Vehicle Pulling to One Side

Your car pulling to one side is the most prominent sign that you need your wheels realigned. If the road you're cruising on is flat and straight, your vehicle should continue to drive straight. However, if it is veering off to the left or right of the road, take it into an auto shop immediately.

Sign #2: Steering Wheel Off-Centered

Your steering wheel should be properly aligned when driving on a straight road. If you experience a problem with your steering wheel not repositioning to the center after making a turn, then your vehicle is misaligned. 

Sign #3: Uneven Tire Wear

Uneven tire tread usually indicates the wheel alignment is off. However, it isn't always obvious to determine whether it is an alignment problem, especially if you don't know what to look for. 

Sign #4: Squeaky Tires

The last sign that your alignment may be out of place is if you hear a loud squealing noise when driving in normal conditions. If your wheels are out of alignment, your vehicle's tires will not make proper contact with the surface you're moving on. You should always take squeakiness as a bad sign.

All of the signs above may indicate that you need your tires realigned. It is not safe to drive in any of the conditions mentioned above. Do the right thing, and do not put yourself or your loved ones at risk. If you believe your tires need to be realigned, we are happy to take a look and offer you a solution at Autoworks of Issaquah. Give us a call or visit our Issaquah, WA auto repair shop today!