Updated on September 5, 2025
On occasion, it may be recommended that your car receive a wheel alignment. Maybe a suspension repair was performed, your vehicle needed new tires, or certain symptoms were noticed.
Alignments can be impacted by suspension wear and road conditions, such as speed bumps and potholes.
Having this service done regularly — once a year or every 15,000 miles — can help save drivers money and prevent premature tire wear.
During car alignments, automotive experts also have a chance to check safety features and the steering ability.
Many people will call us to ask if we do wheel alignments when they’re trying to solve an issue that may not require it.
What can be mistaken for a wheel alignment issue?
Some of the concerns customers have told us about include a vibration felt in the steering wheel. This could be related to a number of items, including tires and wheel balancing. It wouldn’t have to do with the alignment.
A wheel alignment issue will have more to do with tire wear and how the vehicle tracks down the road — whether it’s going straight or pulling to one side.
To take care of a wheel balance problem, we’ll need to remove the tire, put it on a wheel balancer, and place the correct amount of weights on it.
If it’s a tire issue and a steel belt is broken, then the tire would have to be replaced.
Another symptom that is mistaken for a wheel alignment problem is when you press the brake pedal and the steering wheel starts to shudder.
This is due to the brake rotors having too much run out — or what people refer to as “warped”. The symptom can easily be mistaken for an alignment problem because so much of that vibration is transferred through the steering wheel, especially if it has something to do with the front rotors.
Bad tire alignment indicators
So, how do you know when you actually need a tire alignment?
You might not be at a shop where a technician is able to point out any problems they’re seeing.
Maybe you were driving and experienced an odd road manner. For example, a bad wheel alignment can cause a vehicle to pull to one side.
Then, there are certain observations about a car that could hint at this problem. The steering wheel being crooked is one of them. When looking at their tires, drivers may also notice the tread isn’t wearing evenly across.
Sometimes, you don’t pick up on any of these indicators or the problems are linked to other factors.
How you can help your auto repair shop
When getting your car checked out for a concern you have, don’t worry if you’re not sure what’s going on.
Just paying attention to the symptoms and when they’re happening can make a world of difference. Take note of whether the vehicle is pulling to one side or the other, how fast you’re going, or whether you’re pressing on the brake pedal.
Noises are another sign that can provide insight on potential problems.
These bits of information will be very helpful to the auto repair shop in performing diagnostic testing quickly and accurately.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Michelin and BFGoodrich tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.