Have you ever noticed your car pulling to one side? Or maybe your steering wheel is slightly off-center, even though you’re driving straight? These are classic signs that your wheels may be out of alignment—and ignoring it can lead to more than just uneven tire wear.

At Creekwood Tire & Auto Repair in Lenoir City, we handle wheel alignment issues every day. What most drivers don’t realize is how much your alignment affects not just your tires, but your fuel efficiency, safety, and how your vehicle handles in an emergency. If your alignment is off, it puts stress on your suspension and makes your car harder to control—especially at higher speeds or on wet roads.

What Exactly Is a Wheel Alignment?

A wheel alignment isn’t about physically adjusting the tires—it’s about making sure the angles of your suspension system are set to factory specs. These angles include:

• Camber: the inward or outward tilt of the tire when viewed from the front
• Toe: how far the tires turn inward or outward when viewed from above
• Caster: the angle of the steering axis when viewed from the side
  
  

When these angles are off, even by a little, your tires won’t make proper contact with the road. That affects traction, steering, and how evenly your tires wear.

What Causes Misalignment?

It doesn’t take much. Some of the most common causes we see include:

• Hitting a pothole or curb
• Driving on uneven or rough roads
• Minor fender benders
• Worn or sagging suspension components
• Everyday wear and tear over time
  
  

Here in Lenoir City, uneven pavement, construction zones, and seasonal weather shifts can all gradually knock your vehicle out of alignment without you even noticing.

How to Tell If You Need an Alignment

If your vehicle is due for an alignment, you’ll likely notice some of these signs:

• Your steering wheel isn’t centered when driving straight
• The car pulls or drifts to one side
• You feel vibrations through the steering wheel
• Your tires show uneven or rapid wear
• You’ve recently replaced tires or suspension parts
  
  

Even if your car drives mostly fine, a quick alignment check can help catch small issues before they become expensive problems.

Why Alignments Matter for Tire Life and Fuel Economy

When your wheels are out of alignment, your tires are dragging instead of rolling. That uneven contact with the road causes the tread to wear down faster—especially on the inside or outside edges. Once that wear pattern sets in, rotating your tires won’t help much, and you may need to replace them sooner than expected.

Misalignment also makes your engine work harder to keep your car moving straight, which burns more fuel over time. If you're serious about getting the most out of your tires and gas tank, alignments should be part of your routine maintenance.

How Often Should You Get a Wheel Alignment?

For most vehicles, once a year is a good rule of thumb—especially if you drive a lot or frequently travel uneven roads. It’s also a smart move anytime you:

• Get new tires
• Replace suspension components
• Notice steering issues
• Hit something hard, like a pothole or curb
  
  

It’s also worth checking before long road trips or at the start of a new season when weather can impact road conditions.

What to Expect at Creekwood Tire & Auto Repair

When you come in for an alignment, our technicians use precise equipment to measure and adjust your vehicle’s alignment angles. We’ll also inspect your suspension components and steering system to make sure everything is working the way it should.

We take the time to explain what we find and let you know whether an adjustment is needed. If your alignment is good, we’ll tell you that too. Our goal is to make sure you leave with a safer, smoother ride—and the peace of mind that your tires are wearing evenly.

Final Thoughts

Wheel alignment isn’t just about keeping your steering straight—it’s about keeping you safe, protecting your tires, and making your vehicle more efficient. It’s a small investment that can make a big difference, especially with Tennessee’s unpredictable roads and weather.

If it’s been a while since your last alignment, or you’ve started noticing a pull or drift, bring your vehicle to Creekwood Tire & Auto Repair in Lenoir City. We’ll get everything back on track so you can enjoy a smoother, safer drive.