5 Signs Your Wheel Alignment Needs Checking

Wheel alignment refers to the precise angles at which your tyres contact the road surface. When these angles drift from the manufacturer's specification — often caused by hitting a pothole, mounting a kerb, or simply through general wear — the results are uneven tyre wear, poor fuel economy, and imprecise handling.

1. Your Car Pulls to One Side

On a straight, level road, your car should drive in a straight line with no steering input. If it consistently drifts or pulls to the left or right, alignment is almost certainly the cause.

2. Your Steering Wheel Is Off-Centre

When driving in a straight line, your steering wheel should be level and centred (the logo or badge pointing straight up). If it's turned slightly to compensate for the car drifting, the toe or camber is out of alignment.

3. Uneven Tyre Wear

Check the tread across the full width of each tyre. If one side of a tyre is worn more than the other, or if one tyre is significantly more worn than its partner on the opposite side, alignment is out. This type of uneven wear cannot be reversed — it permanently reduces the life of the affected tyre.

4. Vibration in the Steering Wheel

Vibration at speed is more commonly caused by wheel balancing issues, but severe misalignment can also contribute. If vibration started after a pothole impact, both alignment and balancing should be checked.

5. Recent Pothole or Kerb Impact

A significant pothole hit or mounting a kerb is the most common cause of alignment changes. If you've recently had a significant wheel impact, an alignment check is worthwhile even without obvious symptoms — subtle misalignment accelerates tyre wear before it becomes noticeable to the driver.

PKA Automotive offers 4-wheel laser alignment checks in Keighley. We provide a before-and-after printout so you can see exactly what was corrected.