From a specialist in alignment....
Is adhering to the road's camber customary?
Indeed, it is typical for a vehicle to veer or "drift" marginally towards the lower side of a road's camber. This is attributable to the design of roadways for drainage, a characteristic referred to as road crown.
Reasons for Vehicles Adhering to Camber
Roads are deliberately constructed with a little curvature, known as a "crown," where the centre is the apex, facilitating water drainage towards the gutters. A vehicle inherently follows this incline due to gravitational forces and its alignment specifications.
Normal Drift: On standard roadways, which are frequently sloped to the left for drainage in right-hand drive nations such as the UK, a vehicle will subtly veer in that direction. A slight, continual steering correction will be automatically implemented to maintain the car's straight trajectory without conscious thought.
Differential Sensitivity: Certain vehicles exhibit greater sensitivity to road camber than others, influenced by elements such as suspension architecture, steering mechanism, tire dimensions, and alignment parameters (e.g., caster and toe).
Adverse Camber: When navigating a road with an atypical or opposing camber (e.g., on the incorrect side of the roadway or an elevated curve), one will observe the vehicle veering in the opposite direction, indicating that the road's slope, rather than a defect in the vehicle, is the source of the issue.
When to Express Concern
A mild drift is typical; however, a strong, continuous, or exhausting drag indicates a potential problem that necessitates examination. A professional inspection of your vehicle is advisable if you encounter:
A notable force exerted even on ostensibly level or opposing-cambered roads.
Irregular or accelerated tyre degradation.
A steering wheel that remains perpetually misaligned while driving straight on a flat road.
The issue manifested abruptly following contact with a pothole or curb.
A professional four-wheel alignment by an expert may guarantee that your vehicle's geometry adheres to the manufacturer's guidelines, thereby reducing the impact of road camber to a normal, manageable level.