Car steering question

[Half Man Half Wit]

So, we just got ourselves a new car. Now, my girlfriend's noticed that if she wants to drive straight, she has to steer very slightly to the left, i.e. the wheel is not perfectly straight while driving straight. We had the car independently checked before buying, and they said everything's OK; nevertheless, we're headed to the shop soon.

So, what could be the reason for this (the tires are all pressurized equally)? Is it likely something serious, or something mundane? The only reason I'm asking is that, since we're going to the place where we bought the car, on account of still having warranty there, we're a bit worried -- it's not completely in their interest to be perfectly open with us. So I'd like to know what to expect.

Thanks in advance!

[FoieGrasIsEvil]

Sounds like the car may be slightly out of alignment.

[Shagnasty]

It sounds out of alignment to me as well. It doesn't take long to align the wheels and they should do it for free but only certain shops have the right equipment. You need to get it fixed however. It will screw up the wear on your tires if you drive very long like that.

[Flyer]

It could be that the steering wheel itself is out of alignment relative to the car. Several years ago, I had the horn fixed on my car, and the steering wheel wasn't put back on quite right. If somebody else was driving my car, they very well might think that something was seriously wrong, when in fact it isn't.

[TriPolar]

Originally Posted by Flyer

It could be that the steering wheel itself is out of alignment relative to the car. Several years ago, I had the horn fixed on my car, and the steering wheel wasn't put back on quite right. If somebody else was driving my car, they very well might think that something was seriously wrong, when in fact it isn't.

That would be the first thing to check. Then tire pressure and alignment.

[Kevbo]

There can be lots of reasons for it. It can be a sign that the alignment is off, but centering the steering wheel is the last step of alignment, and mainly cosmetic. It can cause issues with the turn signals cancelling inappropriately, but not much else if the off-center wheel is the only thing wrong.

Signs that you have a real alignment problem:

-Front tires not wearing evenly...more wear toward inner or outer edge of tread. More or less wear in center with equal wear at both sides indicates improper inflation.

-Pulling to one side...this means actual force required on the wheel to maintain a straight line in a level road or parking lot. Not just the wheel not being centered. You should be able to go straight on a level road with no hands on the wheel. Note that most two-lane roads are crowned for drainage, so are not "level roads"..it is normal to have the car pull slightly on such roads. Depending on the steering geometry, the crown can cause pull either way.

-Heavy black marks from tires where you pull into driveway or parking space.

[Gary T]

I doubt there's a significant problem, but a wheel alignment may be called for.

A car in perfect alignment (and no other related issues) will proceed straight ahead with the steering wheel straight on a level surface. However, streets are not level, they're crowned -- highest at the center line and sloped slightly to the sides to facilitate runoff of rain. This will cause a slight drift to the right (in the U.S.). Most alignment techs will adjust for this so that the car goes straight down the road. It may be that all you need is a readjustment from "perfect" to "right for the real world."

There are other things that can cause a drift or a pull, but alignment (which includes centering the steering wheel) is the logical place to start.

[breezman]

It sounds to me that either the wheels are out of alignment (which would need to be fixed), or during the last alignment the wheels were aligned with the steering wheel off center (not a problem, but annoying). A realignment would take care of either issue, and I'm guessing would cost somewhere between $60 and $90.

[TriPolar]

Originally Posted by Gary T

There are other things that can cause a drift or a pull, but alignment (which includes centering the steering wheel) is the logical place to start.

Given wheel centering as part of alignment I'd agree, except that I'd check tire pressure first because it's easy.

[Half Man Half Wit]

Wow, thanks for all the quick replies! (The tire pressure is OK, by the way...)

[Alpha Twit]

It's unlikely but not impossible that the rear wheels aren't tracking quite straight either. A good shop should check the alignment of all four wheels but you may want to ask about this.

Exactly what kind of car are we discussing?

[Gary T]

Originally Posted by TriPolar

Given wheel centering as part of alignment I'd agree, except that I'd check tire pressure first because it's easy.

You're right, that's the very first thing to check. I didn't mention it because the OP said they were equal. Checking/rectifying tire pressure and checking for loose or damaged steering and suspension parts are the first steps in doing an alignment; this is understood in the trade but it doesn't hurt to mention it here.

[svd678]

I had a car that wanted to dive for the ditch and 3 alignments didn't fix it. Over 40 lbs pressure fixed it temporarily, but what was wrong was a bad tire. Nothing about it looked bad, but a new tire cured it.

[Omar Little]

OP, when you are driving the car and you are driving straight, does the car stay straight without overtly having to steer to the left? Put another way without steering to the left would the car drift to the right?

Or is it that the steering wheel is not lined up with the car going straight, and when the car drives straight the steering wheel is turned slightly to the left.

These are two different problems. The first is with the alignment of the wheels with the frame of the car as mentioned by several posters. The second is a problem with the steering wheel.

[AaronX]

Originally Posted by Johnceniyo

It appears to be out of positioning to me as well. It doesn't take lengthy to position the tires and they should do it for no cost but only certain stores have the right devices. You need to get it set however. It will damage the use on your tires if you generate very lengthy like that.

Originally Posted by Shagnasty

It sounds out of alignment to me as well. It doesn't take long to align the wheels and they should do it for free but only certain shops have the right equipment. You need to get it fixed however. It will screw up the wear on your tires if you drive very long like that.

Translation successful?

[jz78817]

Originally Posted by AaronX

Translation successful?

thesaurus spam

[HoneyBadgerDC]

The last several years some tires that appear normal will cause a pull. Switching from left to right will verify if this is the problem or not. Front and rear alignment is always the first step. A slightly low rear tire can cause more pull than a slightly low front tire.

[Kimballkid]

Since this OP is three months old, I would suspect they've had the problem fixed by now.

[Half Man Half Wit]

Originally Posted by Kimballkid

Since this OP is three months old, I would suspect they've had the problem fixed by now.

Indeed, but thanks for all replies nevertheless.

[Kazo]

If you need to hold pressure on the wheel got the car to track straight, your portable is alignment. Specifically, the problem is cross caster. Caster is the measurement of the angle of the steering axis in degrees from vertical. You need caster for the wheel to center itself after a turn. It also allows for camber gain while cornering but that isn't relevant to this conversation. Cars have positive caster; shopping carts have negative caster. Cross caster is the measurement of difference between left and right wheel caster, and ideally, should be zero (under one degree is a realistic expectation). Any amount of cross caster will make the centering force uneven in one direction and will result in the driver being required to constantly apply steering pressure.

Most modern suspensions don't allow for caster to be adjusted independently. Caster/camber is adjusted simultaneously and the aligner prefers to get camber closer to spec since it has a larger bearing on tire longevity.

Ninja edit: didn't read the last couple posts till i made mine :P

[Rachellelogram]

Originally Posted by Half Man Half Wit

Indeed, but thanks for all replies nevertheless.

So what was the diagnosis?

[Enola Straight]

Check the sidewalls for tire sizes,

Putting different sized tires on left and right sides will throw off the steering.

Maybe the previous owner just threw on whatever was available to move the vehicle?

[Half Man Half Wit]

Originally Posted by Rachellelogram

So what was the diagnosis?

Just needed a realignment, that's all.