Handling Problems

• Vehicle pulling to one side (diagnosis: alignment, tire pressure, brake caliper, or conicity).

• Steering wheel vibration (diagnosis: imbalance, flat spotting, worn suspension).

• Rough or bouncy ride (diagnosis: underinflation, worn shocks/struts, damaged tire).

• Floaty or imprecise steering feel (diagnosis: underinflation, worn tires, alignment).

• Vehicle wandering on straight roads (diagnosis: alignment, mixed tire types).

A wheel alignment service uses specialized equipment to measure the angles at which your tires contact the road (camber, toe, caster) and adjusts them back to the vehicle manufacturer's specifications. It takes 30–60 minutes at most shops and costs $80–150 for a 4-wheel alignment. It should be done whenever you notice handling changes or uneven wear, after any significant impact, when installing new tires, and at minimum once a year on Canadian roads due to pothole season.

• Check all four tire pressures and inflate to placard spec—this resolves a surprising number of handling complaints.

• Inspect all four tires for obvious damage or significantly different tread depth.

• Test on a flat, straight, empty road: does the car track straight with hands lightly on the wheel? If not, alignment or brake issues are likely.

• Note at what speed vibration appears (imbalance typically peaks at a specific speed range) or whether it's constant.

• Note whether pull changes when you switch lanes (if so, likely road camber, not the car).

This is completely normal. Summer and all-season tires use harder compounds than winter tires, providing more precise steering response but less compliance. Winter tires use softer compounds that are more flexible, which can feel slightly less crisp in steering response but deliver better grip in cold conditions. The different tread patterns also contribute to different noise levels and road feel. If handling differences are dramatic or include pulling or vibration not present on the other set, have both sets inspected.

Tire pressure is the single biggest adjustable variable in tire handling. At correct pressure: the tire maintains its designed contact patch, stiffness, and steering precision. Underinflated: the sidewall deflects more, creating a vague, floaty feel and slower steering response—the car feels like it's rolling on marshmallows. Overinflated: the tire is excessively stiff, transmitting every road imperfection to the cabin and making the steering feel nervous or twitchy. Finding this difference with a simple pressure check is why Michelin recommends monthly checks as a starting point for any handling concern.