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Car Pulls To One Side

A car that drifts left or right on a straight, flat road usually has uneven tyre pressures, a tyre problem, misaligned wheels or a dragging brake.

Normal risk

Usually not urgent, but have it checked; it wears tyres and makes driving tiring.

Short answer · Why does my car pull to one side?

Start with the simplest causes: tyre pressures, then tyre condition and age, because a tyre with an internal fault can pull. Wheel alignment knocked out by a kerb or pothole is next. Roads that slope towards the edge also make cars drift slightly, so test on a flat road.

On this page

Safe checks you can do

  1. Check tyre pressuresSet them to the figures on the door pillar or fuel flap.
  2. Swap the front wheelsIf the pull changes side, a tyre is the cause.Only if you can do this safely or have it done.
  3. Test on a flat roadRoad camber can make any car drift.

Questions that narrow it down

  1. Did it start after hitting a kerb?Alignment.
  2. After new tyres?Tyre conicity or fitting.
  3. Is one wheel hot after driving?Dragging brake.

Possible causes

Listed without ranking. Use the questions above to see which ones fit your car.

  1. Uneven tyre pressureThe simplest cause.
  2. Wheel alignmentToe or camber out.
  3. Tyre faultInternal construction.
  4. Dragging brakeOne side slows the car.
  5. Worn suspension partsAlignment changes under load.

Questions about Car Pulls To One Side

How often should alignment be checked?

After hitting kerbs or potholes, when fitting new tyres or when you notice uneven wear.

Can a pull be normal?

A slight drift on cambered roads is normal.