Is a car supposed to gradually pull to the right if it's not being steered?

Question

Or does this mean the alignment is off? I've heard both... that cars naturally do this for safety purposes and that the alignment is off if the car pulls in any direction.

Answer 1

A car with proper alignment will go straight if the road is perfectly flat and you don't touch the steering wheel.

Most roads are constructed with a slight slope to one side or the other. In many cases they are crowned meaning its high in the center and lower on the sides. This is so that rain water will drain off. This will cause your car to veer slightly toward the down-hill side if you don't hold the steering wheel straight.

The best way to check this is to find an open parking lot that is flat. Start from a stop without holding the steering wheel. If it pulls to one side, your thrust alignment is off. Then coast without touching the wheel, if it pulls to the side then your wheel alignment is off. Then slow down and stop without touching the wheel, if it pulls to one side, your brake pressure is imbalanced.

Answer 2

A car is supposed to steer straight when the alignment is correct.  If the vehicle is pulling to one side, it is being affected but either an incorrect alignment or an outside source.  That could be the road itself ( either it road is crowned ( for water drainage ) or ruts in each lane.  You may have a partially seized brake caliper.  One of your tires may be low on air ( or the opposite side is filled too high ),  

Answer 3

Cars do NOT pull to one side for safety purposes.  That would be ridiculous, and I suspect it's just some dumb story somebody made up.  The alignment specifications are not biased on street cars, or at least none that I've owned.  Once glance at a set of those specifications should convince you whether or not a particular car is supposed to be biased.  To be biased, there would have to be separate camber specifications for the left and right tires.

What makes a properly aligned car pull the right is the crown in the road.  If you get on a road that is crowned the other way (usually the left lane of the interstate will suffice for this) then it should pull to the left.

Answer 4

Could be an alignment problem.  A brake problem is another possibility.  Either way, get it checked.  

Answer 5

maybe... cars do not naturally do this if properly aligned but the road will cause this. roads are pitched to allow for water drain off to the shoulder...Must try a number of different highways and watch your tire wear...

Answer 6

Well I'll go in another direction it could be your alignment are it could be something as simple as a tire lower in pressure than the other side is