Why is a wheel alignment important?
Driving on asphalt is like driving on sand paper and you want your wheels to be pointing straight to minimize tread wear. Misalignment causes the wheels to scuff rather than roll freely. This will affect your steering and suspension, more importantly; it could affect handling and the life of your tires.
Biggest reason to keep your vehicle aligned.
TIRES, they’re expensive and are only getting more so. Newer vehicles require large profile tires. The days when most rims were 15”-16” has passed. Many SUV’s have 17”-20” rims and bigger tires also mean they must be made stronger which also adds cost. Paying for an alignment is no longer an expense, it’s an investment.
If you own an all wheel drive vehicle and there’s uneven wear on your tires there’s a good chance you will have to replace all four tires.
How do vehicles lose their wheel alignment?
Wheel alignment can be thrown off by:
- Pot holes
- Hitting the curb
- Bumping into concrete parking stalls
- Going over speed bumps too fast
- Wear and tear - As vehicles age, rubber components start to crack or lose their elasticity causing sagging and misalignment.
How can I tell if my car’s alignment is off?
There are some noticeable signs that could indicate a misalignment.
- Uneven or premature tire wear
- Vehicle pulling to the left or right
- Your steering wheel is crooked when driving straight
- Squealing tires
How often should I have a 4 wheel alignment or alignment check?
Even before coming into winter the Denver metro area roads were in terrible shape. Rule of thumb, have an alignment done is once a year unless you notice your steering wheel is not straight or you’re feeling a pulling driving on a flat surface. Please talk with us if you have any questions.
