Alignment is the angles at which your wheels sit relative to the road and the car body. Three angles matter — camber, toe, and caster — and if any of them drifts out of spec, the tires fight the road every mile and wear unevenly. Bad alignment can destroy a $400 tire in 5,000 miles.
1. The car pulls to one side on a level road
On a flat, straight road with no wind, take your hands off the wheel for a moment (lightly!). The car should track straight or drift very slightly to the right (road crown). If it pulls noticeably to either side, your camber or caster is off, or you have a tire pull.
2. The steering wheel isn't centered when going straight
If you have to hold the steering wheel slightly off-center to drive in a straight line, your toe is misadjusted. This is one of the most common alignment issues and usually develops gradually.
3. Uneven shoulder wear
Look at the tread. Excessive wear on one shoulder (inner or outer) and not the other means camber is off. Wear on both shoulders with the center fine means toe-out. Wear in a sawtooth pattern (feathering) means severe toe misadjustment.
4. The steering feels loose or unresponsive
Bad alignment doesn't usually feel like a clear mechanical problem — it feels like the car is vaguely numb. The steering doesn't return to center as quickly. Highway driving requires constant small corrections.
5. You just hit a big pothole or curb
Major impacts knock alignment out, sometimes immediately. After any impact hard enough to make you wince, get an alignment check within the next month. The damage may not be visible but the angles will tell you.
What an alignment costs
A four-wheel alignment runs $80 to $150 at most shops, $100 to $200 at the dealer. Cars with adjustable rear suspension or air suspension cost more. Worth every penny — a $100 alignment saves a $400 tire.
How often
Most cars need alignment every 2 to 3 years even without incidents. Get it checked any time you replace tires, after any significant impact, and whenever you notice any of the symptoms above.
Tires don't lie. If they're wearing oddly, the geometry is wrong somewhere.