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I just replaced one of my tires, but now the car seems to veer to the left when I drive. Help!?

I just had a brand new tire installed on the rear right wheel of my car, but now when I drive, the car veers to the left. The 3 other tires have about a year old with 13,000 miles on them and have about a couple of millimeters less tread depth on them compared to the new tire. I was wondering if maybe the new tire will eventually even out with the other tires or if this could cause a serious problem with the car. The veering isn't too bad. I don't struggle with the car or anything like that, but when I let the steering wheel go while going down a straight freeway at about 65 mph, it will obviously start veering to the left. Thank you for your help! Also, the car never did this before. It just started doing this right after I got the new tire installed and then had all the tires rotated and balanced. I'm assuming it's the new tire that is at fault here... The Pep Boys guy said there was nothing wrong with my tires when he rotated them, only that one tire was new. That's all he said. Oh and the new tires is the same exact one as the other 3, it's just newer. Thank you all very much for your answers! If you really think it's the allignment, is it possible that Pep Boys could have messed my allignment up. I'm sure my car did now have this problem before I got the new tire.

Public Comments

  1. you probably need an alingment
  2. you could possibly have a broken belt in the tires in the front or need a front end alignment you should have the front end checked
  3. Replacing a rear tire can't cause a car to veer, it has no effect on the steering, unless it is a LOT LARGER or SMALLER than the other tires. And I mean a lot. You have another problem with the front end, I suggest you have your alignment checked.
  4. Check air Pressure. Otherwise take to a mechanic.
  5. Make sure of a couple of things. Tire pressure should be equal on all tires. The size and structure of the new tire should be like the other three, and also the tread design should be close. Do not mix radial tires with non-radials. To make sure if it's the new tire causing the problem, change the location to the tire to the other side of the vehicle and see if the problem changes or stays the same.
  6. you really don't need alignment but if you will not get the other rear tire you will eventually.
  7. It's the alignment, tread will not make any significant difference.
  8. Get the new tyre balanced and and take up wheel alignment at any car service centre. It will solve your problem
  9. It's possible the the guy who jacked up the car to change the tire put the jack or lift arm in a place where it bent something on the suspension. I'd take it to an alignment shop and have it checked out.
  10. Sounds like you need to start looking at the option of an alignment at the least and for the best couple that with tires bought as a set.
  11. I would first check the air pressure and make sure it's matching between the four tires. Assuming that the new tire is the same size, I wouldn't expect 13,000 miles to make that big a difference.
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