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I've had this "problem" (it's in quotes cause it's not really a problem, but more of an aesthetics issue) for a couple years now and I really only noticed it after I had a flat and had a new tire installed. Anyways, the thing is, when driving straight, my steering wheel is turned slightly to the right; about 10 degrees. It would be equal to a slight turn. I've attached a photo just so you can see what I mean. My car runs fine, but it is rather annoying knowing it's there. :P

Anyone know how I could fix this? Assuming it's something a newbie could do.

Thanks.

 
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an alignment.

 
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Indeed

 
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Toe is out... needs a alignment...

 
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yeaa buddy...its just a little issue..get it lined up at SEARS or something

 
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Are your tires wearing on one edge?

 
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I didn't notice any abnormal wear. Then again, I can't see the condition of the tread on the inside of the tire. I've had the tires for many years now and are probably do for a change (except the newer one that was replaced do to the flat) I've watched some videos on Youtube and it seems everyone is right ... my car needs an alignment!

Does anyone know how much an alignment usually runs for?

 
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no more than $100 for all four wheels

 
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i found the cheapest near me is 60 dollars so call around.

 
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Thanks.

The tires I have on now are just over 4 years old. I'll probably ride them out for another year and then change them and have the alignment done then. No sense paying twice for it.

 
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Before you get an alignment try swapping the front wheels from one side to the other. Sometimes when one tire is worn or old on one side of the front of the car car and the other side has a new one, it can make the car seem to be out of alignment. If swapping the tires straightens your steering wheel you know it was due to the tires. If it doesn't work, you know you need an alignment and at least it didn't cost you anything but a small amount of your time.

 
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I'll write you a diy to determine tread on inside of tire.
1)Open driver's car door, get in driver's seat, put key in ignition, turn key to on position.
2)Rotate wheel left (counter clockwise) all the way.
3)Get out of driver's seat and proceed to front driver's side wheel. Look down at tread on inside part of wheel.
4)Proceed back to driver's side door, the door should be open, get in driver's seat.
5)Rotate wheel right (clockwise) all the way.
6)Get out of driver's seat and proceed to front passenger side wheel. Look down at tread on inside part of wheel.
7) ****OPTIONAL**** Return to driver's side door (which is still open), sit in driver's seat, turn off car and pull out key, get out of car and close door.

 
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SO you had a new tire installed...maybe it is smaller or bigger in size than your other tire? This would cause your alrignment to be off...check the numbers written on the sidewall of your tires to be sure they are both the same size. If they arent the same size you can put the rear tires on the front and the front tires on the rear and this will fix the problem.

 
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First off: lordhelmet:

Sarcasm is not appreciated but thanks for a laugh anyways.

Both turboesprit & wallydude03:

You both bring up a good point. The new tire right now is at the back passenger side and the steering wheel is crooked but the car drives straight. I had the tires rotated (I believe the back ones move to the front and visa versa) and the steering wheel went straight but my car pulled to one side when driving. So I had the tires put back the way they were.

Now, as for the numbers on the side. I thought I checked this and ruled it out but I thought I'd go out now and double check.

The older tires: 185/70R14 88H
Newer tire: P185/70R14 87S

185 and P185 .... makes a difference?? 88H and 87S??

 
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The 185 and p185 is no difference the "p" is for passager car tire. as for the 87S and the 88H they are speed ratings for the tires you should have the same speed rating on the same axle. you do need a alignmet done on the car so the wheel is straight.

 
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Sarcasm is warranted here. Have you looked at the inner part of the front tires yet?

 
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I haven't looked at the tires yet lordhelmet. I'll have time Friday, most likely.

senna, thanks for the info on the tire description. Now that has me thinking ... why would the shop install a tire with a different speed rating than the other tires?? I assume it makes a difference ... in handling or even mileage maybe ... ? I've had that newer tire on for over a year now with no real problems regarding handling or such. Do the different speed ratings really make that much of a difference?

 
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speed rating simply refers to how fast you can go on the tire before it rips apart. usually lower speed ratings are cheaper and more unsafe. the speed rating set by the manufacturer is higher than what the car could actually go for safety reasons. but using a lower speed rating than recommended is a really bad idea. i think 01-05 civics call for H rated tires but you can go higher.

i forgot to mention, the speed rating only holds true for new tires. once they become worn, punctured (and repaired), or aged, they are no longer safe up to the max speed. the system was basically developed for other countries with high or no speed limits so you get cars routinely going over 100mph. in the usa, i doubt most people would ever drive that fast on a daily basis, except maybe in a police chase. in which case, the tires are so worn already that you will end up destroying them.

 
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you guys would be surprised, but the same "size" is really not always the same... same tire maker and "same" size does not mean much if different models... and if you mix p-metric with non-P-metric, it becomes crazier... sizes with P bfore the size follow TRA (tire and rim association, USA), while sizes without P are more european (follows ETRTO standard). Size dimension tolerances are different, i should know for i work for a tire company... even "same" size tires could have different dimensions within same company if model is different!!! always use same company/model size tires on the same axle, really - they just need to be whithin tolerances depending on the rules applied to them...
ever did notice some 205's have wider tread contact area than other 205's? That's because the 205 is the total tire width. However, some tires are rounder, while others are squarer. Some 205's could have a 175mm tread contact patch but still legal as 205's... as long as an inflated tire in a wheel width whithin measurement tolerances are whithin the mandated inflated SW total width tolerances (depending on the organization that rules the standard for this size, of course).

complicated? no... use same maker and same model/size for each axle, that's just it....
And more than a year without alignment? even after changing a tire for a newer one? you still wonder why? Sorry... go back to basic car car....

 
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BTW, I am in the production side, not product, so detailed stuff is for other guys. you just learn some stuff while making them.

 
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What the hell are you on about? Gearbox never said anything about the sizes of tires the tires... he was talking about the speed rating.

 
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woops! my bad... it's not about gearbox comment but senna's..... quote the wrong one...
It have been corrected now to the right post...
Sorry about that gearbox

 
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BTW, if you don't want this tywe of info, i will keep quiet then...

 
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yeah tire making is not a perfect process, even in the factory you will never get two that are exactly the same. i guess thats why balancing was invented lol.

 
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Amen!
Tell me about it...
and your comment is right...
rubber is carbon-based and have a mind of its own...

 
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So I finally got around to looking for abnormal wear on my tires. They look like they're wearing evenly. There is slightly more wear to the sides of the tread as appose to the middle of the tread, but it doesn't look too bad. (Under-inflation??) I did notice that it looks like the tread is wearing down to those tread markers, whatever they are called that tells you that the tread is bearing it's limit. So as I said earlier, I'm probably going to get the three old tires on my car changed with new ones that I have sometime this year and then have an alignment done.

I believe the new tires I have are of the same make (Michelin) and same speed rating and everything else. I'm pretty sure the tread design is slightly different and have heard not to mix different designs. Why is this? Anyone know?

 
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well, first i said about the tire size being different even for same tire company and same tire size, but if you try to mix different tread design, there is a possibility that they have different rubber compound, which could mess completely the car or on some cases work well (not usually happens when 1 different from 3, maybe for front/rear different). Equation is very complex, cannot say about another tire maker either. going into details are too complicated and not worth it anyway. Even in this situation tires could be different, and the reasons are enugh to fill a book, sorry. Ever wondered why spec race teams have a room full of pistons to choose the pistons that match weight? well, these are metal, tires are rubber...
So bottom line is to get exactly same tire in each axle (left/right matches). if you know enough of cars (first) and enough of tire behaviour matched to your suspension, do taht.
If not, always get new 4 tires. getting just one when others are wore out was not a good choice. if your new one is not too wore out, get the other 3 or just one for that axle.

Almost forgotten: if you still have the steering tilted, swap the right/left tire and see if situation changes. if not, get an aligment. if tilt changes, change the older tire. if still happens, ask to change the new tire - it could be the cause (don't think it happens with michelins, but....)

 
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and after all this, i re-read your post... you steering tilt WORSENED AFTER the tire change, but it WAS ALREADY TILTED... you have had the new tire for about a year now.
just put new tires on all 4, go do a alignment and report back here please. Then if you still have problems, let's talk about if tires do make a difference... first things first, then mental masturbation...

 
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[QUOTE=sdaidoji;4460856]... and if you mix p-metric with non-P-metric, it becomes crazier... sizes with P bfore the size follow TRA (tire and rim association, USA), while sizes without P are more european (follows ETRTO standard).standard for this size, of course).
QUOTE]

But WHY would you get a european tire put on a american car??...

i also work at a tire place and when ppl call and ask for tires some say "Hey" do you have a tire size P185/65/R14while some ppl say "Hey do you have a 185/64/14. THAT what i was going by.i don't know were they guy lives but if he is in the states then i would think that he would be getting a usa spec tire on his car rather then a Euro spec tyre. ether way he needs tires and a alignment doneto fix the problem. i would also hope that the person doing the alignment that he or she checks the front end first to make sure everything is tight and nothing has play in it.ie.. inner and outer tie rods and the ball joints upper and lower. peace..

 
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Dish out the extra 100 dollars and buy 4 tires instead of 3. It's always good to have all the same tires.