Car trouble · Steering & suspension

My car pulls to one side

On a straight, flat road the car drifts left or right when you loosen your grip on the wheel.

Get to it this week

A starting point, not a diagnosis. Most parts stores read check-engine codes and test batteries for free.

Likely causes — tick the parts you want

  1. Uneven tire pressure

    most likely · Most people can do this

    How to check: Check all four tires with a gauge and set them to the number on the driver’s door jamb sticker. A low tire on one side will pull the car toward it.

  2. Wheel alignment out of spec

    possible · A mechanic’s job

    How to check: Look at the front tires for wear on just the inside or outside edge, and check whether the steering wheel sits crooked when driving straight.

  3. A dragging brake caliper

    less likely · Doable with tools and a free afternoon

    How to check: After a drive, carefully hold your hand near each front wheel without touching it. One much hotter than the other means a brake is dragging on that side.

Be careful

Don’t blow brake dust off with compressed air or breathe it in — wet it down with brake cleaner and wipe it away. Never get under a car held up only by a jack — set it on jack stands on flat, solid ground and chock the wheels that stay down.

Your car — the counter needs this

If the counter doesn’t have a part, your shopper asks them to order it under your name and messages you the order number. When it comes in, send someone to collect it.

Not quite it?

My car clunks over bumpsMy steering is hard to turn
My car pulls to one side — likely causes and the parts · DriverRuns