Bumps in the road cause the wheels of your vehicle to move up and down on the road surface. This energy gets transferred into the frame of the car. Without some system that absorbs this energy, the wheels might lose contact with the road. The suspension of the vehicle keeps the tires from slamming back onto the surface of the road, thus giving you a smoother drive and allowing safer handling. Learn how to identify the signs that indicate your car needs a wheel alignment and bring your car into one of our professional service centers.
What to Watch For
Tire alignment refers to the adjustment of how the tires make contact with the road. When the alignment is off, you may notice one of these signs:
- Your vehicle pulls to the right or the left
- When driving straight, the steering wheel is off center
- The steering wheel vibrates
- Your tires show an uneven tread
- Your vehicle tracks with uneven surfaces or follows grooves in the road
In addition, you and your passengers might experience a very bumpy ride, even on a fairly smooth stretch of highway.
The Importance of Proper Wheel Alignment
Wheel alignment is vital not only to a smooth ride, but also to the way your vehicle handles on the open road, when turning corners, or going around a curve. Your tires depend on the proper alignment of the suspension system. No one wants to replace worn out tires due to premature wear and tear. Making sure the steering and suspension system of your car or truck is in alignment extends the life of your tires and provides steering stability, even under difficult conditions.
Most manufacturers leave the regularity of performing a wheel alignment open to necessity instead of placing it on a factory maintenance schedule. There’s no real timeline because there are so many factors that can change the need for alignment. It’s recommended that when you get new tires you should invest in an alignment to prevent uneven and premature tire wear. If you have a bad habit of hitting curbs or drive on roads that are riddled with potholes, you might want to check the alignment more often than once a year. Our technicians can quickly tell you if an alignment is needed or have parts that are simply wearing out, accelerating the wear of tires. Schedule an appointment at one of our service centers to keep your vehicle handling well on the road.
