When your car keeps drifting right, even on a fairly straight road, it wears you out and quietly wears out tires. The cause is often simple, but letting it ride leads to uneven tread, added fuel use, and suspension stress. The two most common suspects are incorrect tire pressure and wheel alignment. Here’s how to tell which issue you’re dealing with and what to do next.
What “Pulling Right” Really Means on the Road
True pull means the steering wheel wants to turn by itself, and you need steady input to keep the car centered. A lighter drift may only show up at certain speeds or road surfaces, which can point to tire pressure differences or road crown rather than a serious fault. If the pull stays consistent on different roads, it’s more likely a vehicle issue than the pavement.
Quick Tire Pressure Check Can Correct a Drift
Start with the fastest test. Use a quality gauge on all four tires when they are cold, then set pressures to the sticker in your driver’s door jamb. A difference as small as 3 to 5 psi between the front tires can nudge the car to one side. If you top off the low tire and the car tracks straight again, you have found the problem. If the pressures were way off, monitor them for a week. A slow leak from a nail or a leaky valve core may be hiding, and that slow loss tends to return the pull.
How Wheel Alignment Creates a Straight, Stable Drive
Alignment sets each wheel’s direction and angle relative to the car and the road. When alignment is within spec, the steering wheel sits centered, the car tracks straight, and tires wear evenly. Hitting potholes, curbs, or speed bumps too fast can nudge angles out of spec. If the steering wheel is off-center while driving straight or the car wanders after you’ve verified tire pressures, alignment moves higher on the suspect list.
Common Alignment Angles That Cause a Pull
Technicians adjust three main angles: toe, camber, and caster. Toe is the inward or outward pointing of the wheels and has a big effect on tire scrub and straight-line stability. Camber is the tilt of the tire at the top; too much difference side to side can make the car favor one direction. Caster is the fore-aft tilt of the steering axis and helps the wheel self-center. A mismatch in camber or caster from left to right is a frequent reason for persistent pull, even if overall specs look close.
When Tires Themselves Are the Culprit
Sometimes alignment checks out, pressures are spot on, and the car still heads right. In that case, suspect the tire. A separated belt, uneven tread wear, or a tire that’s worn more on one shoulder can create a “conicity” effect, which steers the car like a rolling cone. An easy test is a front-to-front tire swap: move the right front to the left front and vice versa. If the pull follows the tire to the other side, that tire is likely the cause. Rotations at regular intervals can prevent these patterns from forming.
Other Issues That Mimic Alignment Problems
Brake drag on one front wheel can tug the car during cruising or light braking. A sticking caliper or seized slide pins often leave extra brake dust on that wheel and a hot odor after a drive. Worn suspension bushings or a bent control arm can also skew alignment angles and cause a pull that won’t correct with simple adjustments. Even a steering component with extra play, like an inner tie rod, can make the vehicle feel like it is drifting or requires constant correction. If you notice a new pull after a curb hit or a deep pothole, it’s smart to get a full steering and suspension inspection along with an alignment check.
Stay Straight and Safe With Rocky Mountain Car Care in Broomfield, CO
If your vehicle keeps pulling right after you’ve verified pressures, we can help. Our technicians perform precise digital alignments, inspect steering and suspension components, and pinpoint tire issues that basic checks miss.
Schedule a visit with Rocky Mountain Car Care in Broomfield, CO, and we’ll get your car tracking straight, riding quietly, and wearing tires evenly again.