Tire Pressure and Alignment

[english44]

Just bought a 2000 Solara. Unfortunately, it pulled to the right and the dealer whom we bought it from (at a very low price w/70K on the odometer) suggested his mechanic in town. Fine. The fellow worked on it, said it drove OK but put it on his machine and found that it was well "out of toe". He 'fixed' it but it still pulled to the right. Brought it back and he swapped tires front to back and right to left. Drove it home. It now pulled to the left. Checked the tire pressure: RL = 32psi. RR = 25psi. FL = 35psi. FR = 32psi.

Now I'm not a mechanic but I'd think the first thing you check is the tire pressure before you do an alignment and, if not, right after you do the allignment as well. What would be the effect of these pressures on how the car handles? Thanks.

[fzzyrn]

maybe he's assumed both you and the dealer checked the pressure. It looks like the tire pressure DOES seem to affect pull direction. Did you equalize the pressures? That might stop the pull.

funny thing is, us gen2 drivers pull to the left by default.

[LEE337]

the first thing a mechanic is suppose to to is check tire size and tire pressure before doing an alignment. having one tire low on pressure will effect the pull of it. it can also effect gas milage and uneven tire ware. check all of your tires daily to see how much air your loosing.

[english44]

Well, getting the tire pressures where they were supposed to be fixed the problem. Obviously, one would expect a mechanic to do that first or last. Take your pick. In any case, case closed. Thanks.