I just changed the tires, but for some reason the car doesn’t run straight……
If you wobble slightly at high speed or the steering wheel shifts from the center, you may be worried that there may have been a problem with the replacement work.
In VW cars, if the tire installation procedure, air pressure imbalance, and suspension alignment are even slightly out of alignment, there are cases where it does not run straight immediately after replacement.
If left unattended, it can lead to uneven wear and reduced maneuvering stability.
In this article, we will explain in an easy-to-understand manner the causes of misalignment after replacement, as well as the points that can be checked with DIY and the estimated repair cost.
▼Driving problem diagnosis guide▼
👉Comprehensive summary of causes of poor running
- Summary of common symptoms
- There are four main causes (by structure)
- Cause (1): The car does not run straight due to the difference in air pressure between the left and right sides
- Cause (2): Uneven tightening of wheel nuts (bolts)
- Cause (3): Misalignment (toe angle, camber angle)
- Cause (4): Poor wheel balance (shaking at high speed)
- Points that can be checked in DIY
- Is it okay to drive? (Urgency)
- Approximate repair cost
- Related parts to check at the same time
- Conclusion
- What to read next
- Defect details by vehicle type
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Summary of common symptoms
- The car moves to the left or right after changing tires
- The center of the steering wheel is misaligned
- It doesn’t bother me at low speeds, but it wobbles at high speeds
- It is now easier to get caught in ruts on the road surface
- Tires may make abnormal noises and vibrations
There are four main causes (by structure)
- Difference in air pressure (often immediately after changing tires)
- Loose tightening of wheel nuts (uneven torque)
- Misalignment (undercarriage, impact, replacement procedure)
- Poor wheel balance (wobbling at high speeds)
Cause (1): The car does not run straight due to the difference in air pressure between the left and right sides
When does it happen?
- Leaning on either side
- Symptoms are stronger at a higher speed than at a low speed
- The air pressure is not adjusted at the exchange shop/the settings are different
Why do I have that symptom?
Tires with low air pressure have a larger contact patch, and the car runs closer to it so that it is pulled in that direction.
After changing tires, there are surprisingly many cases where the air pressure is not evenly adjusted, and it is especially easy to affect the behavior of VW cars.
What happens if left unattended?
- Uneven wear
- Worse fuel economy
- Increased wobbly at high speeds
Cause (2): Uneven tightening of wheel nuts (bolts)
When does it happen?
- When you start running, the steering wheel swings subtly.
- Strange noises on the steps
- Changes occur in a few km after replacement
Why do I have that symptom?
VW cars have a wheel bolt fastening type, and if you do not tighten them diagonally with the same torque, the wheels may not sit correctly.
If the tightening is uneven, the contact surface with the car body side will be misaligned, and the straightness will be unstable.
What happens if left unattended?
- Uneven wheel wear
- Worst of all, the risk of loosening the bolt while driving
- Putting a strain on the hub side
Cause (3): Misalignment (toe angle, camber angle)
When does it happen?
- Steering wheel center shifts left/right
- Susceptible to road surface influence
- The discomfort is stronger than before the tire change
Why do I have that symptom?
Although the alignment does not change when changing the tire itself,
the accumulation of jacking up, nut tightening, and road impact may cause the alignment that was originally out of alignment to become apparent.
In particular, VW has a delicate suspension, and the deviation of the toe angle greatly affects straightness.
What happens if left unattended?
- Uneven tire wear
- Wobble and flowing
- Significantly reduced high-speed stability
Cause (4): Poor wheel balance (shaking at high speed)
When does it happen?
- The steering wheel bubbles around 60-100 km/h
- Vibration is transmitted to the steering wheel
- Symptoms appear immediately after replacement
Why do I have that symptom?
If the center of gravity of the tire is out of balance, it will shake due to centrifugal force when rotating.
Insufficient balancing during replacement will affect straightness at high speeds.
What happens if left unattended?
- Faster hub bearing wear
- Increased wobble at high speeds
- Increased vibration throughout the car body
Points that can be checked in DIY
- Is the air pressure the same on the left and right sides (match the recommended values)
- Is the wheel bolt evenly tightened (*Torque wrench required)
- Check the misalignment of the steering wheel center position
- Note the difference in symptoms at low and high speeds
- Visual check for uneven tire wear
*Only to the extent that it can be done safely. The final decision is to go to the maintenance shop.
Is it okay to drive? (Urgency)
- Can run for a while: slight air pressure difference
- Risk of worsening symptoms: Poor wheel balance and misalignment
- Driving NG (towing recommended): If you suspect that the wheel bolt is undertightened
When a driving problem occurs, it may be necessary to tow the truck depending on the situation.
In these cases, it may be covered by road assistance or riders of automobile insurance, so it is safe to lightly review the contents of your current contract.
If you may not have a proper understanding of the coverage, you can use a comparison service to check the coverage details and premiums of multiple companies at once. Since you can get a complete picture in a short time, many people use it for repairs and inspections.
👉 Free Car Insurance Bulk Quote Service
Approximate repair cost
| Work Description | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| Air pressure adjustment | Free to 1,000 yen |
| Wheel balancing | 3,000 to 6,000 yen |
| Alignment Adjustment | 10,000 to 18,000 yen |
| Hub cleaning and contact surface correction | 3,000 to 10,000 yen |
| Diagnosis fee | 5,000 to 10,000 yen |
You can scroll
*Discomfort immediately after driving is the cheapest to deal with early.
👉Summary of maintenance and custom costs & working days of VW specialty store Nile Plus
Related parts to check at the same time
- Lower Arm Bushing
- Tie Rod Ends
- Hub Bearings
- Stabilize Link
- Suspension Arm
- Alignment angle (especially toe angle)
▼List of individual pages about undercarriage repair and maintenance▼
Conclusion
Typical causes of not running straight after tire replacement include left and right air pressure differences, uneven tightening of wheel bolts, misalignment, and poor balance.
If left unattended, uneven wear and wobbly will worsen, and will also affect high-speed stability. If you feel uncomfortable immediately after
replacement, inspecting it as soon as possible can reduce repair costs.
Even if the symptoms are similar, the causes vary from vehicle to vehicle.
Even if there are similar abnormal noises and malfunctions, there are various causes such as turbo belts and sensors.
If you are unsure, it is safe to have it inspected at a maintenance shop without overdoing it.
What to read next
Please proceed to the article below that best describes your symptoms.
- Steering Wheel Jerks on Bumps? How to Diagnose Undercarriage Rattles and Play
- Steering Wheel Flutter at High Speed: Causes and Loss of Straight-Line Stability
- Steering Wheel Pulls to One Side: Alignment vs Tire Issues and How to Tell
- Car Pulled by Road Surface Bumps? Causes of Tramlining in VW and How to Fix It
- Why Won’t My Car Drive Straight and Why Is It Making Noise? Common Causes Explained
- Causes of increased steering play|If you feel “rattling” on the steering wheel
- Why Doesn’t My Car Track Straight After New Tires? Alignment and Setup Issues Explained
- Car Won’t Track Straight? Symptoms of Worn Undercarriage Bushings and How to Tell
- Why Doesn’t EPS Correct Steering? Straight-Line Instability in VW Without a Warning Light
- Car Feels Floaty or Unstable? Causes of Suspension Failure and Shock Wear Symptoms
Defect details by vehicle type
Although the “way of getting out” the defect is similar, “which model has many problems” is slightly different for each car model.
Trends by vehicle model and common breakdown cases among other owners are summarized on the following page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is it really only the air pressure that causes the car to not run straight immediately after changing tires?
A1. Air pressure differences are the most common causes, but the same symptoms occur with uneven tightness of wheel bolts, misalignment, and poor wheel balance. It is efficient to check the air pressure→ bolt→ balance→ and alignment in the order of alignment.
Q2. I wobble only at high speeds, but if there is no problem at low speeds, is it okay to wait and see?
A2. Wobble in the high-speed range is suspected of imbalance or air pressure difference. If left unattended, uneven wear may progress, and alignment corrections may be required later, so early inspection is recommended.
Q3. If the steering wheel center is misaligned, is alignment mandatory?
A3. It is often caused by alignment, but the center is also misaligned even if the wheel sits poorly (uneven bolt tightening). First, recheck the tightness, and if you don’t make improvements, you can be sure to adjust the alignment.
Q4. Is it okay to check the tightness of the wheel bolts with DIY?
A4. You can check it by using a torque wrench and tightening it evenly diagonally. However, overtorque or uneven tightening can lead to failure, so if you are unsure, it is safe to have it checked at a mechanic shop.
Q5. If the tire replacement shop is the cause, can you recalibrate it?
A5. Many stores will recheck the air pressure and bolts, adjust the balance, etc. free of charge. Discomfort immediately after replacement is often inexpensive if it is early, so it is safe to consult as soon as you notice it.
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