Having spent a decade as a service advisor at a shop, I can confidently say that most people might not realize when their car is out of alignment. Some folks are just used to how their car drives, even if they’re correcting the wheel a bit. However, even slightly poor wheel alignment can cause uneven or premature tire wear and be symptomatic of a safety issue in the steering system. What’s more, it can negatively affect grip and even fuel economy. We saw many cases where the driver had clear symptoms but wasn’t aware of the signs. Here are four ways you can tell your car’s alignment is off.

First, notice whether your car pulls to one side. Drive on a straight, flat road and see if you need to hold the steering wheel a certain way to keep the car centered. If the wheel tilts off-center, that’s an issue. It should be level and steady.

Next, look at your tires. Uneven tire wear is another common sign of wheel alignment issues. Check if one tire is more worn out than the others. You can also see if the outer or inner tread is lower than the center tread on each tire. If you can see worn outer or inner tread, your car’s camber is out.

Feel for vibrations. If your steering wheel shakes or vibrates while driving, especially at higher speeds, your alignment might be off. The wheels could be “fighting” against the direction you’re steering. This can also indicate other issues, like unbalanced tires or problems with your suspension.

Finally, take note of how your car generally handles. If it feels loose, grabby, or squirrelly,  particularly when driving over bumps or around corners, poor alignment might be the culprit. A properly aligned car should feel solid, predictable, and controllable.

Depending on the off-kilter wheel alignment specs — camber, caster, and toe — there could be an underlying issue, like a worn steering or suspension component. Otherwise, you might have knocked the vehicle out of alignment via a pothole or other obstacle. Once the car’s camber, caster, and toe are inspected and corrected, it’s a good idea to recheck it once or twice a year.