What Is Wheel Alignment?
Wheel alignment is the process of orienting your car’s wheel to the right orientation to its other fellow wheels and also to the road. The resultant orientation has maintained good and high handling, fuel efficiency, and tire life.
What Are the Signs My Vehicle Needs an Alignment?
- Uneven tire wear: Uneven wear on your tires might also indicate that the wheels are not in proper alignment. It will appear as excessive wear on either the inside or outside of your tires, or as a bald spot in the center.
- Vehicle pulls to one side: In case your vehicle has a tendency to pull to one side or the left then this also means that you are suffering from alignment problems. It can make your ride quite tough and you might also develop uneven wear on your tires.
- Hard to steer: If you are finding it hard to steer, or the steering wheel doesn’t feel to be perfectly on the center then it might mean that you have some probable case of alignment trouble. It makes a difference to your steering, and hence, comfort while driving.
- Vibrations or shaking: There are instances in which your car shakes when moving at a certain speed. This is mostly experienced when the vehicle is moving at high speeds. It is really scary, and it may also indicate that your tires are out of balance.
How Wheel Alignments Affect Vehicle Performance:
- Tight handling: A well-arranged set of wheels will see your vehicle predictably handle. The vehicle will take up the road when you are steering, almost in a predictable manner. The vehicle becomes safer and even more enjoyable to drive.
- Better fuel efficiency: With misaligned wheels, your car may work harder, cutting down on your fuel economy. Proper alignment can mean saving a bit more money in the pump.
- Longer tire life: It ensures the balanced distribution of wear in tires, which will result in longer tire life. Replacements will be less frequent, that’s for sure.
- Safer drive: Better alignment of the wheels leads to a safer drive because it generates more stability of the vehicle and control. It may also reduce the possibilities of accidents when driving and ensure that you and other passengers are safe.
Alignment Process
- Checking: A technologist checks your vehicle’s suspension components and measures its wheel angles. This process needs special equipment to identify your certain alignment.
- Adjustment: In case that is necessary, the technician adjusts the suspension parts to align the wheels. The technician may also tighten or loosen bolts and also adjust the suspension arms.
- Re-inspection: After adjustment, the technician will re-inspect the alignment in order to ensure that it falls within the tolerance level of the manufacturer. This ensures that the alignment becomes accurate and precise.
- Alignment Intervals: The frequency of wheel alignments depends on several factors, namely driving conditions, road, and type of vehicle. Normally, it is suggested that one should get his or her wheels aligned every 6 months or 12,000 miles. However, if you observe any of the above signs or have recently hit a pothole or curb, you should have an alignment sooner.
Benefits of Regular Alignments
- Better handling and control
- Better fuel economy
- Long life for tires
- Hazard-free driving
- higher resale value
- Better performance and safety
- Greater resale value for your vehicle
- Even better performance and safety
Want to have your wheels aligned regularly?
Set aside a little time and resources for regular wheel alignments. This will assure you and other road users of the longevity, performance, and safety of your vehicle. That’s just a little payback in terms of your drive experience and your vehicle’s health over the shortest possible periods.
