How do you know when you need a front wheel alignment or a 4 wheel...
 

...alignment? 2006 Honda Accord, 50K miles app

Looking for irregular tire wear is one way. The easiest way though is to find a nice flat straight stretch of highway at a time when there is little traffic, with the car traveling between 55 and 65 mph, remove your hands from the steering wheel.















A car with a proper wheel alignment and tire pressure will not drift left or right but stay straight on course.















This is only meant to be a quick unofficial check of your alignment, if you have not had a mechanic inspect your front end suspension and alignment for any length of time( 2 years or 20,000 miles) it would be a good idea to have some preventative maintenance done. It will cost you less in the long run.

If your tires are cupping or wearing out on the inside or outside.( right/left top side of tire) That's a sure sign that you need a alignment. Look for cupping. Run your hans an you can feel that. You should rotate your tires as well.

You need an alignment when certain parts of the suspension are replaced, or when getting a new tie rod (also ball joints on some cars).































Also, regular use can cause a car to go out of alignment, as well as hitting a curb or a pothole too hard.































If you are experiencing steering difficulty, many shops offer free safety / suspension inspections. If I suspect I problem, I always get my next oil change at a shop that offers this service and have them check the car out while it's on their lift for the oil change.

If you're driving and you were to let go of the wheel going slowly and it's not windy.... if the car immediately starts to drift to one side, you need an alignment. Also, if you have to hold your steering wheel at an angle in order to go straight.