All of the components of your vehicle suffer from a great deal of wear due to the general stress of operating, since a combustion engine creates a massive amount of friction and heat. However, perhaps no other part of your car suffers from stress as much as the tires do; since they are constantly touching the road, they can suffer from a whole host of mechanical issues. One of the most common issues that can affect your vehicle's tires is misalignment, which is when your tires do not all point in the same direction. This can have a significant negative effect on your vehicle, and so being able to identify misaligned tires can help you avoid performance issues with your car by allowing you to head to a mechanic straight away.

Vibrations in the Steering Wheel

One of the clearest indications that your tires may be misaligned is if you notice that your steering wheel shakes significantly while you are driving. This is caused by your wheels chronically pulling in different directions and is a serious concern for two reasons. First, this shaking can make it harder for you to control your vehicle on the road, since it will be harder to hold your steering wheel in a straight line. Second, and perhaps even more importantly, is the fact that the constant shaking points to increased friction in the suspension of your vehicle, which can lead to further mechanical issues beyond misaligned tires. These additional problems can be expensive and complicated to fix.

Drifting and Pulling

Another fairly obvious indication that your tires are no longer aligned properly is if you notice that your entire vehicle veers to one side while driving, especially if that veering grows more intense at higher speeds. You may notice that you're experiencing strain in one arm or that it may be harder to take turns through an intersection. Again, this can increase the risk of an accident, so it's a good idea to have a professional take a look at your vehicle to get your tires working properly again.

Asymmetrical Wear

Finally, the last sign that you need to talk to a professional about aligning your tires is if you notice that there is uneven wear on the treads of your tires. If one section of your tire's treads is significantly more worn than the rest of the tire, it may be time to head to an auto repair shop. Look for irregular wear as well, like cut out sections, damaged sidewalls, and cracking, all of which can point to excessive wear on a specific part of your tire caused by misalignment.

Visit a local tire maintenance shop to inspect your tires for misalignment and fix any issues today.