How to Diagnose an Alignment Problem

Though you cannot align your own wheels, there are several ways to determine if your car needs an alignment. Driving a car that's out of alignment will cause excessive and premature tire wear.

Things You'll Need

• Yellow Pages
• Telephones
• Car Jacks
• Tire Gauges

Instructions

1. Test-drive your car on the straight part of several different roads and highways, on a day when there are no strong winds.

2. Rest your hands very lightly on the steering wheel - the car should go in a straight line without drifting out of the lane either to the left or right.

3. If the car drifts, check all the tires for proper inflation (see "How to Check and Add Air to Car Tires," under Related eHows).

4. Add air to tires as needed.

5. Take a second test-drive, checking for drift again. If the car still drifts, make an appointment for a front-end check and an alignment.

6. Look for uneven wear in the tire tread. If the tread is worn unevenly on one side (inner or outer), you probably need an alignment. Wear straight down the middle of the tire indicates overinflation; wear down both the inside and outside of the tire indicates underinflation.

Tips & Warnings

• You should get an alignment after any accident, even a minor fender bender.

• While having the alignment checked, ask your mechanic to check all the front-end and suspension components (they'll usually do this anyway).

• Though most cars typically require only a front-wheel alignment, some cars require four-wheel alignment (front and back).