Have you ever experienced that you're driving to the right while the steering wheel isn't centered? Check if the alignment is working well. There are other signs tell you to pay attention to the alignment, such as a vibrating steering wheel, uneven wear of tires, and the drifting to one side.

Let’s see what makes it happen

When you hit a bump or run over a pothole, the car's suspension may get loose or worn. The suspension connects the steering wheel to tires, effecting the alignment directly. As a correct alignment is measured precisely, even the smallest bump to a curb is enough to throw the suspension off, pointing your tires to the wrong direction.

Besides the extra work that goes into simply driving in a straight line, the most noticeable problem you will face with a poorly aligned vehicle is having the tires wear down much faster than if it were properly aligned. Not only do they wear away, but they do so unevenly. This makes the tire unsafe to use. An unevenly worn tire can lose air pressure and possibly blowout, even if it has been rotated.

A relevant consequence to bad alignment is the damage to suspension. Improper alignment means the suspension is out of whack to begin with, and continuing to drive in such condition will only cause further damage.

To be safe, you should have your car realigned every time you get an oil change or when you bring your car in for routing maintenance. A proper alignment allows for a safer and more enjoyable driving experience. Your tires will not wear down as much and even when they do, at least they will wear down evenly. This means they can be rotated properly, extending their life even more. And of course with the tires all facing the same direction your car will drive straight and handle more properly which keeps you safer. With a properly aligned vehicle, you will even get better gas mileage!

When your car's alignment is off, it means your tires are pointing in the wrong direction. Since a driver's main task is to keep tires going the right way, this is kind of a big deal. On top of these obvious steering issues, improper alignment can cost you your safety, and of course too much money.