How to tell if you need a front end alignment

Proper Alignment is Crucial for Your Vehicle

Does your car need a front end alignment?

A properly aligned car is important for safety and proper functioning of your vehicle from day to day. A car that has the alignment off can be dangerous to drive and can cause excessive wear and tear to tires, breaks, bearings, and more.

How to tell if a car needs an alignment?

There are two main ways to tell if your car needs a front end alignment.

Check the tires for wear and tear.

A car that is properly aligned will have tires that will have about the same amount of wear on the treads. Since tires are usually replaced in pairs, both your front tires should be about the same in terms of age. If one of your front tires shows more tread wear than the other tire, chances are that your alignment is off and you'll need a front end adjustment.

See if the car 'pulls' when you let go of the wheel.

To truly tell if your car needs a front end alignment, you'll need to see if your car pulls to one side or the other. For safety purposes you should only test this out in an open parking lot or road with no vehicles, obstructions, or pedestrians nearby.

Drive your car in a straight line keeping the steeling wheel in the starting position and making sure the car is going in a straight line.

If you have to turn the wheel one way to keep the car straight, your alignment is likely off.

Also while driving straight in an open area, let go of the wheel briefly. If the car pulls hard to one side, your front end alignment is clearly off.

There is a difference between drifting to one side when you let go of the wheel and tugging or pulling to one side.

A car with bad front end alignment will noticeably pull sharply to one side and prevent the car from moving forward in a straight line. You'll only have to take your hand of the wheel for a second or two to see if the car pulls to one side.

These are the main ways for a driver to determine if their car's alignment is off. A mechanic has the equipment and training needed to determine if the alignment is actually off and by how much.
Most mechanics use computer programs and laser alignment systems to ensure that your front end wheels and axle is perfectly aligned. You may also want to replace the front tires after a fresh realignment as one tire may have worn out quicker than the other.

Have your alignment checked when you feel pulling while driving or if you notice one tire is noticeably more worn than the other front tire. Never put off realignment when needed as a severely misaligned front end can cause damage to the vehicle and pose a huge safety risk for both the car's passengers and any vehicles or people near the vehicle.