When it comes to the safety of your vehicle, it is important to understand why your steering wheel may start to turn by itself. It can be a symptom of a more serious problem that could put you and other drivers at risk. In this article, we will discuss the potential causes of a steering wheel turning by itself as well as how to prevent it from happening.
Potential Causes of a Steering Wheel Turning By Itself
There are several possible reasons why your steering wheel might start turning by itself. Here are some potential causes:
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Misfiring Engine: If your engine is misfiring, it can cause your power steering pump and other parts of the system to become out of sync, which can cause the wheels to turn by themselves when you’re driving or idling.
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Worn Out Parts: Worn out parts such as bearings or bushings in the suspension system can cause excessive play in the wheels, resulting in them turning by themselves while driving or idling.
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Poorly Adjusted Alignment: If your vehicle’s alignment isn’t correct, it can also lead to excessive play in the wheels and cause them to turn without input from you.
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Faulty Cruise Control System: If your vehicle is equipped with cruise control, a faulty system can cause the wheels to turn by themselves even when you’re not using the cruise control.
How to Prevent Your Steering Wheel from Turning By Itself
The best way to prevent your steering wheel from turning by itself is to have your vehicle serviced regularly and check for tire balance and alignment often. Here are some other steps you can take:
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Service Your Vehicle Regularly: Having regular service and maintenance check-ups done on your vehicle will help keep it running smoothly and safely, reducing the chances of your steering wheel turning by itself.
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Check Tire Balance and Alignment Often: Keeping an eye on both tire balance and alignment will help reduce wear and tear on suspension components, as well as limit any excessive play in the wheels that could cause them to turn without input from you.
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Monitor Brake System Components for Wear and Tear: If your brakes are worn or corroded, they can also cause excessive play in the wheels that could lead to them turning without input from you. It’s important to have them checked regularly so they don’t become a safety hazard. Also read here about potential causes of clicking noise when accelerating.
Potential Causes and Preventions Table
| Potential Cause | Prevention |
| Misfiring Engine | Regular service and maintenance check-ups |
| Worn Out Parts | Check tire balance and alignment often |
| Poorly Adjusted Alignment | Check tire balance and alignment often |
| Faulty Cruise Control System | Regular service and maintenance check-ups |
Conclusion
A steering wheel turning by itself can be dangerous, so it’s important to understand the causes and take preventive measures to make sure it doesn’t happen. To prevent your steering wheel from turning by itself, you should have your vehicle serviced regularly, check for tire balance and alignment often, monitor brake system components for wear and tear, and more. Taking these steps will reduce the chances of your steering wheel turning by itself.
