Car pulls to one side? The causes
Do you have to constantly correct because your car pulls to the left or right on its own? That's tiring, it wears your tyres unevenly and it's a sign that something isn't right. The cause often lies with uneven tyre pressure or an alignment that's out — for example after you've hit a pothole or curb — but a dragging brake or a worn suspension part can do it too. This guide explains why a car pulls to one side, how you can roughly narrow down the cause yourself and what alignment costs. AutoJet in Almere checks the cause for free — you see the price up front by license plate. Open Mon–Sat 11:00–20:00.
What does 'pulling to one side' mean and why does it matter?
A car that pulls to one side will steer left or right on its own if you briefly let go of the wheel on a straight, flat road. You then have to keep correcting to stay going straight. That's not just tiring on a longer drive — it also points to your wheels no longer being properly in line, or something working unevenly.
Beyond comfort, there's safety: in an emergency stop or a sudden steering movement, a car that pulls is less predictable. And it costs money, because a wrong alignment makes your tyres wear unevenly and faster — you wear them out tens of percent sooner. Having the cause checked in time therefore saves tyres and improves safety.
Common causes
Pulling to one side is almost always down to one of these causes. Some are cheap to fix, others need work on the undercarriage:
- Uneven tyre pressure — a tyre that's low on one side pulls the car that way. This is the cheapest and first check.
- Alignment out — often after you've hit a pothole, hole or curb hard; the wheels no longer sit at the right angle.
- Uneven tyre wear — tyres worn differently left and right give different grip and rolling resistance.
- A brake dragging on one side — a sticking brake caliper brakes lightly all the time and pulls the car to that side (often with heat or a burning smell).
- Worn suspension or steering part — for example a ball joint, control arm or bush with play.
How to roughly narrow down the cause
Before you come in, you can already estimate the direction of the cause with two questions:
- Does the car only pull while braking? Then it usually points to the brakes — for example a caliper that's dragging or gripping unevenly.
- Does the car always pull, even when you're not braking? Then it's more likely the tyre pressure, alignment or tyres.
Always start with the cheapest and easiest: check the tyre pressure and set it equal left and right to the value from your fuel cap or door pillar. Does the car still pull after that? Then there's a good chance the alignment is out or a part is worn — and we measure that on the alignment equipment.
What does it cost at AutoJet?
The cause check is free — we check the tyre pressure, tyres, brakes and suspension and tell you honestly what's going on. If alignment is needed, you see the price up front by license plate, so you're never caught out:
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Cause check free | €0 |
| Front-axle alignment | €85 |
| 4-wheel alignment | €110 |
| Labour | €70 / hour |
| Exact price | by license plate |
Checking the tyre pressure is free. The final price depends on your car — enter your license plate and you'll see it up front. You never pay for work you haven't approved in advance.
How AutoJet helps: free check and 3D alignment
Not sure why your car pulls? At AutoJet in Almere we check the cause for free. We start with the tyre pressure and the tyres, look at the brakes and the suspension and tell you concretely what's going on — with no obligation.
If alignment is needed, we do it on 3D alignment equipment, so the wheel angles are set exactly to the factory values. You get honest advice and the price up front by license plate, so you know where you stand in advance. We speak Ukrainian, Russian and English — handy if Dutch isn't your first language.
See also: Wheel alignment in Almere · Blog
Frequently asked questions about a car that pulls to one side
Why does my car pull to the left or right?
The most common causes are uneven tyre pressure, an alignment that's out (often after a pothole or curb), uneven tyre wear, a brake dragging on one side or a worn suspension or steering part. At AutoJet in Almere we check the cause for free and tell you honestly what it is.
Is pulling always an alignment problem?
Not always. Alignment is a common cause, but uneven tyre pressure or a dragging brake give the same feeling. That's why we check the tyre pressure first (free) and only then measure the alignment — so you don't pay for alignment if a simple pressure correction already fixes it.
Does my car pull because of the tyres or the brakes?
A simple test: if the car only pulls while braking, it usually points to the brakes (for example a dragging caliper). If it pulls all the time, even without braking, it's more likely the tyre pressure, the alignment or the tyres. We establish this during the free check.
What does alignment cost at AutoJet?
A front-axle alignment costs €85 and a 4-wheel alignment €110. The cause check and checking the tyre pressure are free. Labour is €70 per hour and you see the exact price up front by license plate. You never pay for work you haven't approved.
Can a pothole or curb throw off the alignment?
Yes. A hard hit against a pothole, hole or curb can push the wheel angles out of place, which makes the car pull and the tyres wear unevenly. Notice your car starting to pull after such a hit? Have the alignment measured at AutoJet in Almere.
Do you really check the cause for free?
Yes, the cause check is free and with no obligation. We check the tyre pressure, tyres, brakes and suspension and tell you honestly what's going on. If alignment or a repair is needed, you get a clear price up front by license plate — and then you decide.
Car pulling to one side? Get the cause checked for free.
Free cause check · front-axle alignment €85 · price up front by license plate