A Not-So-Straight Story (Vehicle Pulls to One Side)
August 7, 2022
A vehicle should travel straight down a straight road with the steering wheel centered. But time and travel can take their toll and soon you may find your vehicle pulling to the left or right. Those are not good signs and should be taken care of fairly quickly.
One thing that you should note is when this is happening: if it is all the time, only when you brake, only when you accelerate. If you describe these symptoms to the service adviser or technician, it may help them pinpoint the cause more quickly.
Many things can cause a vehicle to pull to one side, one of which is that it's out of alignment. If so, you could be doing damage to other components of your vehicle if you keep driving with it this way. If your tires show signs of uneven wear on the treads or if your wheels squealing, that is another clue.
Improperly inflated tires can also cause your vehicle to pull in one direction. Your service facility can check to see if your tires have the pressure recommended by your vehicle's manufacturer.
When steering linkage wears out or a wheel bearing goes bad, both of those can cause a vehicle not to track straight. When components age and loosen up, they can present a safety hazard and premature tire wearing.
Maybe you notice the pulling only when you are braking. That points to a failure of your braking system, perhaps a sticky brake caliper.
When your vehicle was brand new, it went straight unless you guided it on a different path. It's best to have it checked out if it is showing some of these symptoms. It could save you money in the long run and you'll be driving a safer, better performing vehicle. That's what they mean by steering you right!
Auto Lab Livonia
36251 Five Miles Rd
Livonia, MI 48154
734-432-6000
http://www.autolablivonia.com
Need Service?
More articles from Auto Lab Livonia

A Non-Starter (Alternator Problems in Cold Weather)
March 9, 2025
As the temperatures dip, we all know there could be problems starting our vehicles. After all, batteries can grow old and not hold a charge as well as when they were newer. Or starters can go bad. But there's one more component to keep an especially sharp eye on during winter: your alternator. T... More

Change is Good (Oil Change)
March 2, 2025
You've heard that expression, change is good. When it comes to your vehicle's oil, change is not only good, it's vital for the health of the engine. But there's one question that puzzles many drivers: how frequently should my vehicle's oil be changed? There is not one simple answer, but here ar... More

Keeping Yourself in Suspension (Control Arm Assembly Replacement)
February 23, 2025
When you are pointing your vehicle straight down the street, it should go straight. Thats pretty straightforward, right? Sometimes, though, you may notice you have to keep adjusting the steering wheel to keep going straight. While that could be caused by many different issues, one possibility i... More