{"organism":"Page","children":[{"organism":"Container.Raw","children":[{"organism":"Metadata","model":{"title":"Does your car need a wheel alignment?","text":"\u003Cp\u003EWhat is a wheel alignment and how do you know if your car needs one? Here are some signs to look out for.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\r\n","links":[{"name":"Does your car need a wheel alignment?","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment.html"}],"image":{"src":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/_jcr_content/root/metadata.shellimg.jpeg/1696499520730/wheel-alignment-main.jpeg","alt":"Two mechanics wearing red perform a wheel alignment.","width":3840,"height":2166},"date":"2023-01-16T18:30:00.000Z","tags":[{"name":"Vehicles","value":"vehicles:"},{"name":"Drive Well","value":"shell:business/business-customers/drive-well"}]},"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/jcr_content/root/metadata"},{"organism":"ContentOwner","model":{},"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/jcr_content/root/contentowner"},{"organism":"Container.Header","children":[{"organism":"Container.Raw","ref":"https://www.shell.com.au/_jcr_content/root/header/inherited.model.json","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/jcr_content/root/header/inherited","model":{}},{"organism":"Breadcrumb","model":{"links":[{"name":"Home","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/"},{"name":"Shell fuels","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels.html"},{"name":"Go Well Content Hub","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub.html"},{"name":"Does your car need a wheel alignment?","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment.html"}]},"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/jcr_content/root/header/breadcrumb"}],"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/jcr_content/root/header","model":{}},{"organism":"Container.Main","children":[{"organism":"Container.Section","children":[{"organism":"PageHeader","color":"inherited","model":{"title":"Does your car need a wheel alignment?","text":"\u003Cp\u003EWhat is a wheel alignment and how do you know if your car needs one? Here are some signs to look out for.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n","image":{"src":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/_jcr_content/root/main/section/page_header_copy_cop.shellimg.jpeg/1696499549058/wheel-alignment-main.jpeg","alt":"Two mechanics wearing red perform a wheel alignment.","width":3840,"height":960},"date":"2023-01-16T18:30:00.000Z"},"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/jcr_content/root/main/section/page_header_copy_cop"},{"organism":"Container","children":[{"organism":"Author.Info","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/jcr_content/root/main/section/simple_copy_copy_cop/author_copy","model":{"links":[{"name":"By Shell on Jan. 17, 2023"}],"image":{"src":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/_jcr_content/root/main/section/simple_copy_copy_cop/author_copy.shellimg.png/1696499567546/shell-pecten.png","alt":"Shell Pecten","width":2500,"height":1405}}},{"organism":"PromoSimple.Text","color":"inherited","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/jcr_content/root/main/section/simple_copy_copy_cop/text","model":{"title":"How to tell if your car needs a wheel alignment","text":"\u003Cp\u003EThere are many consequences of having your car wheels not aligned: your car won't steer straight, it will use more fuel and wear out its tyres quicker, it can cause friction between your tyres and the road eventually thinning them out, and misaligned wheels might even damage your vehicle's steering and suspension components.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhile your car comes from the factory with its wheels precisely adjusted for caster (the angle of the front suspension relative to a vertical axis), camber (how much the top of the tyre points into or away from the vehicle) and toe angle (the angle of the wheels relative to the straight-ahead position), this harmony can easily be thrown out of whack.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESimply hitting a pothole, smacking a kerb or wear and tear is all it can take to knock out your alignment and leave you subject to the above-mentioned maladies. So how do you know when you should be making a beeline to your local wheel-alignment specialist? Here are the key signs.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cb\u003EYour steering wheel isn't centred\u003C/b\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\r\nThis is an easy-to-pick warning that your alignment could be out, especially if it's not something you remember noticing earlier. To check it's not just your local roads playing tricks on you, find a large, flat bit of tarmac that's safe. Stop, centre your steering wheel, then drive slowly forwards keeping the wheel dead-straight. If your car veers from straight-ahead, it's check-up time.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cb\u003EYour car pulls to one side\u003C/b\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\r\nWith an uncentred steering wheel, your car might still track straight with it consistently held at the 'wrong' angle. In this scenario, your car will feel like it wants to pull to one side. Some 'pull' is normal – new cars are adjusted to gently steer away from oncoming traffic in a worst-case scenario and the camber of many roads can also cause a car to pull one way or the other. But if your car feels like it's pulling excessively – especially towards oncoming lanes – you should see a specialist.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cb\u003EYour tyres are wearing unevenly\u003C/b\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\r\nIf your car's wheel alignment is spot-on, its tyres should wear pretty evenly. However, if they are wearing more on one side or other, poor alignment is a likely suspect. Tyre feathering or scuffing – when its tread blocks or ribs wear unevenly, leaving one side smooth and low and the other raised and sharp – is another key pointer to alignment issues.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cb\u003EYour steering and suspension sound or feel strange\u003C/b\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\r\nCorrect alignment depends on various steering and suspension components all working together as they were designed to. If those parts are worn-out or damaged, there's more than a good chance your alignment has also gone awry. For that reason, knocking, creaking or squeaks from your suspension or strange vibrations or sounds from the steering should be investigated pronto. In any case, a readjustment will be mandatory when new steering and suspension parts are fitted or repairs are performed.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIt's been more than 10,000km since your last one\u003C/b\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\r\nWith correct alignment a matter of fractions of degrees, it takes less tyre and component wear to throw it out than you might think. For this reason, most specialists recommend an alignment every 10,000km or so.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n"}},{"organism":"PromoSimple.Text","color":"inherited","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/jcr_content/root/main/section/simple_copy_copy_cop/text_1077948173","model":{"title":"Where can I get a wheel alignment for my car?","text":"\u003Cp\u003EIf these signs reveal that, yes, your vehicle does indeed need a wheel alignment, then you’ll want to head straight to your local mechanic, tyre store or wheel-alignment specialist. One of these experts will be able to do a comprehensive check up and four wheel alignment on your vehicle so it will be as good as new.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n"}},{"organism":"PageTags","model":{"tags":[{"name":"Vehicles","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/tag-search.html?tag=vehicles%3A"},{"name":"Drive Well","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/tag-search.html?tag=shell%3Abusiness%2Fbusiness-customers%2Fdrive-well"}]},"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/jcr_content/root/main/section/simple_copy_copy_cop/page_tags"},{"organism":"PromoSimple.Text","color":"inherited","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/jcr_content/root/main/section/simple_copy_copy_cop/text_1331435215","model":{"text":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Csup\u003EDisclaimer\u003C/sup\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Csup\u003EViva Energy Australia Pty Ltd (“Viva Energy”) has compiled the above article for your general information and to use as a general reference. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken by Viva Energy in compiling this article, Viva Energy does not warrant or represent that the information in the article is free from errors or omissions or is suitable for your intended use.\u003C/sup\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\r\n"}}],"colspan":8,"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/jcr_content/root/main/section/simple_copy_copy_cop","model":{}},{"organism":"Container","children":[{"organism":"PromoSimple.Text","color":"inherited","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/jcr_content/root/main/section/simple_copy_copy_cop_1887070552/text","model":{"title":"You may also be interested in"}},{"organism":"Author.Info","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/jcr_content/root/main/section/simple_copy_copy_cop_1887070552/author_copy_copy","model":{"text":"\u003Cp\u003EBy Shell on May 17, 2022\u003C/p\u003E\r\n","links":[{"name":"What’s that sound – and could it be serious?","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/whats-that-sound-and-could-it-be-serious.html"}],"image":{"src":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/_jcr_content/root/main/section/simple_copy_copy_cop_1887070552/author_copy_copy.shellimg.png/1696499844165/shell-pecten.png","alt":"Shell Pecten","width":2500,"height":1405}}},{"organism":"Author.Info","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/jcr_content/root/main/section/simple_copy_copy_cop_1887070552/author_copy_copy_cop","model":{"text":"\u003Cp\u003EBy Shell on Oct. 12, 2021\u003C/p\u003E\r\n","links":[{"name":"Back To Basics: How To Jump Start A Car","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/back-to-basics-how-to-jump-start-a-car.html"}],"image":{"src":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/_jcr_content/root/main/section/simple_copy_copy_cop_1887070552/author_copy_copy_cop.shellimg.png/1696499890445/shell-pecten.png","alt":"Shell Pecten","width":2500,"height":1405}}},{"organism":"Author.Info","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/jcr_content/root/main/section/simple_copy_copy_cop_1887070552/author_copy_copy_cop_645814132","model":{"text":"\u003Cp\u003EBy Shell on May 10, 2021\u003C/p\u003E\r\n","links":[{"name":"Under The Hood: A DIY Engine Oil Top-Up","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/under-the-hood-a-diy-engine-oil-top-up.html"}],"image":{"src":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/_jcr_content/root/main/section/simple_copy_copy_cop_1887070552/author_copy_copy_cop_645814132.shellimg.png/1696499927664/shell-pecten.png","alt":"Shell Pecten","width":2500,"height":1405}}}],"colspan":4,"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/jcr_content/root/main/section/simple_copy_copy_cop_1887070552","model":{}},{"organism":"Container.XF","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/jcr_content/root/main/section/experience_fragment_","model":{}}],"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/jcr_content/root/main/section","model":{}}],"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/jcr_content/root/main","model":{}},{"organism":"Container.Footer","children":[{"organism":"Breadcrumb.Large","model":{"links":[{"name":"Home","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/"},{"name":"Shell fuels","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels.html"},{"name":"Go Well Content Hub","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub.html"},{"name":"Does your car need a wheel alignment?","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment.html"}]},"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/jcr_content/root/footer/breadcrumb"},{"organism":"Container.Raw","ref":"https://www.shell.com.au/_jcr_content/root/footer/inherited.model.json","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/jcr_content/root/footer/inherited","model":{}}],"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/jcr_content/root/footer","model":{}}],"id":"/conf/shell/settings/wcm/templates/base/structure/jcr_content/root","model":{}}],"model":{"title":"Does your car need a wheel alignment?","text":"What is a wheel alignment and how do you know if your car needs one? Here are some signs to look out for.","date":"2023-01-16T18:30:00.000Z","links":[{"name":"canonical","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment.html"},{"name":"errorUrl","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/error.html"},{"name":"hierarchy","value":"en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment"},{"name":"homeTitle","value":"Shell Australia"},{"name":"homeUrl","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/"},{"name":"locale","value":"en-AU"},{"name":"title","value":"Does your car need a wheel alignment? | Shell Australia"},{"name":"textDirection","value":"ltr"},{"name":"template","value":"base"},{"name":"contentPath","value":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment"},{"name":"externalDisclaimerText","value":"Shell plc Legal Disclaimer\r\nYou are now leaving the Shell website.\r\nThe link you have selected will direct you to a website that is not controlled by Shell plc or any member of the Shell Group. Accordingly, neither Shell plc nor any member of the Shell Group endorses, adopts, certifies or otherwise validates the information and material contained on the linked website. This includes its sponsor and any policies, activities or services offered on the site, by any advertiser on the site or linked to the site.\r\nThank you for visiting the Shell website."},{"name":"themeMode"},{"name":"lastModified","value":"2026-07-15T11:36:41.245Z"},{"name":"dateModified","value":"2026-01-26T00:00Z"},{"name":"themeName","value":"base"},{"name":"themePath","value":"/etc.clientlibs/amidala/clientlibs/theme-base"},{"name":"themeCss","value":"/etc.clientlibs/amidala/clientlibs/theme-base.ACSHASHb291465fc8d3c7bcefde74d34044b698.css"}],"tags":[{"name":"Vehicles","value":"vehicles:"},{"name":"Drive Well","value":"shell:business/business-customers/drive-well"}],"image":{"src":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/_jcr_content/root/metadata.shellimg.jpeg/1696499520730/wheel-alignment-main.jpeg","alt":"Two mechanics wearing red perform a wheel alignment.","width":3840,"height":2166}},"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/does-your-car-need-a-wheel-alignment/jcr_content"}