How to Diagnose Tire Pull

Tire pull can be caused by many different situations. From tread pattern, to difference in tire pressure and tread depth. If tire pull first becomes noticeable after many miles of driving on a tire, it is typically due to driving conditions or vehicle misalignment that has caused the tire's tread to wear at an uneven rate (with one side wearing down faster than the other), or allowed the tire on the left side of the axle to wear faster than the tire on the right side of the same axle.

If a vehicle has a pulling problem, the alignment should be checked. If the alignment is at the manufacturer's preferred settings or appropriately within the range, the following procedure can be used to confirm which tire is causing the pull.

Step 1

Rotate the two front tires from side-to-side. Directional tires can be moved from side-to-side for testing purposes. The short time that they are on the vehicle backwards will not harm the tire.

Results

1. If the vehicle pulls in the opposite direction, the defective tire is one of the front tires.
   (Go to Step 2)
2. If the vehicle pulls in the same direction the problem is either with one of the rear tires or is not a tire-related problem.
   (Go to Step 3)

Step 2

Rotate the front tire on the side of the car that is in the direction of the pull, to the rear of the car.

Results

1. If the pull no longer exists or diminishes greatly, the tire that was moved to the rear of the car is the defective tire.
2. If the pulling does not change, the defective tire is isolated to the front tire that was not moved in Step 2.

Step 3

Rotate the two rear tires from side to side.

Results

1. If the vehicle pulls in the opposite direction, the defective tire is one of the rear tires.
   (Go to Step 4)
2. If the pulling tire does not change, the problem is not tire related. The car should be checked for possible misalignment or suspension wear.

Step 4

Rotate the rear tire on the side of the car that is in the direction of the pull to the front of the car.

Results

1. If the vehicle pull becomes more severe, the defective tire is isolated to the tire that was rotated to the front of the car.
2. If the pulling does not change, the defective tire is isolated to the rear tire that was not rotated.

A tire diagnosed as a pulling tire is possibly a manufacturer's defect. The tire is covered under warranty only during the first 25% of tread wear, depending on manufacturer. The defect is caused by the belts being incorrectly aligned during the manufacturing process.