Vehicle maintenance is an important chore you should be investing in on a regular basis. And as part of this maintenance, there also comes the task of keeping your wheels in top condition. To do so, you need to have your car’s wheels aligned now and then by experienced technicians. In this blog, we’re going to shed some light on why you need to get a wheel alignment done and what are the signs of your wheels not being aligned.
What is Wheel Alignment?
Wheel alignment is the process of aligning the wheels of your car in a way that they’re positioned properly in regard to one another and the surface of the road. This is done by bringing the suspension systems to their proper position while also adjusting the wheel’s components. Unlike some maintenance work that you can do manually, for wheel alignment, you should always go to your automobile service provider for a more experienced and trained set of hands to do the job for you.
The basic purpose of alignment is to square the vehicle’s wheels and axles so that they move in the same direction. This involves adjusting suspension angles that are part of tire movement and ensuring perfect alignment of the steering wheel. Vehicles are designed to work accurately at certain degrees, and this wheel alignment is supposed to ensure those degrees are matched to make one’s driving experience better.
Benefits of Wheel Alignment
- You’ll have more control over your vehicle on the road, and it’ll be more stable.
- Suspension and steering properties last longer.
- Helps maximize a car’s fuel efficiency, as cars without proper wheel alignment can suffer a 10% decrease in efficiency.
- More stability ensures that your car is safer to be driven on uneven or damp roads.
How Often Should Wheel Alignment Be Done?
According to experts at Toyota, you should get your wheels aligned after every other oil change, or after traveling approx. 6000 miles. However, it all depends on your tires, vehicle, and the kind of roads you frequently travel. Hence, you need to contact professionals for more information on this.
To give you more information, wheel alignment should be done with your car’s regular maintenance. This can be during the car’s monthly visit to the auto repair shop. Of course, as we said, it depends on the kind of vehicle you have. Hence, to get alignment done on your vehicle’s tires, you need to read the signs of tire misalignment in your vehicle. To help you out, some have been listed below.
The Car is Pulling to One Side
If your car has started to drift to one side when you let go of the steering control, or if it feels like the vehicle is pulling against you, there’s a good possibility that you need to schedule wheel alignment.
Tires are Unevenly Wearing
If you get your car’s tires rotated in the proper way, they should start wearing evenly. But if you notice that they’re wearing unevenly, then it could be a big sign that your vehicle needs wheel alignment done.
Tires are Making Squealing Noises
Another sign of wheel misalignment is that your tires have started to make squeaking noises whenever you take your vehicle out for a drive. Your tires should be providing you with a smooth experience, and to ensure that, alignment is necessary to be taken care of.
Steering Wheel is Shuddering/Vibrating
Lastly, you need to notice if your steering wheel is shaking or vibrating when in motion, it could be due to misaligned wheels. Hence, you’d need to take your vehicle to experts to take care of this.
This is all you need to know about why and when to get wheel alignment done on your vehicle. It’s essential not just for a comfortable driving experience, but also for you and your passengers’ safety when they’re in your vehicle. For more information on this, visit Toyota Creek Motors.
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