Wheel alignment is extremely important as it influences your vehicle’s handling characteristics which has a direct impact on your safety, and the life of your tyres. Wheel alignment involves the mechanical adjustment of a vehicle suspension that influences the direction and angle of the tyres contact with the road. The manufacturer of your vehicle will set an optimum alignment for specific makes and models that influences the performance and handling. Alignment is extremely important because it impacts safety and tyre wear, so it’s vital to have this serviced and checked regularly for your safety and others around you.
If you look after and maintain your wheel alignment then you will extend the life of your tyres, ensuring you are getting the best value for money as well as boosting your MPG owing to lower fuel consumption. Another reason to maintain the correct wheel alignment is because of the improvements in vehicle handling and steering whilst seeing braking distances reduced.
What causes your wheels to be out of alignment?
- Sudden jarring or heavy impact caused by hitting something, such as a pothole, bumping a curb, or a road accident.
- Worn parts caused by wear and tear. Parts such as suspension springs can become worn and slack over time, leading to a shift in the wheel alignment. In this case, prevention is more effective than cure, so regular checks are necessary.
- Height modification, when the suspension has not been changed to suit your vehicle. Car suspension is designed to work at a certain height, and if you adjust the height of your vehicle without also adjusting the suspension, your car will probably suffer from wheel alignment.
Here are a few signs that suggest your vehicle needs a wheel alignment service:
- Vehicle drifts to one side when driving
- Your steering wheel is off centre when you’re driving straight
- The steering wheel is crooked or vibrates
- Abnormal or uneven tread wear
- Squealing noises coming from your tyres
- Tyres wearing abnormally/unevenly
You can easily check your tyre wear by running your hand carefully over your car’s tyres. However, another easy way to check to see if your wheels need realigning is by driving on a straight stretch (In a safe, empty environment) and briefly letting go of your steering wheel to see if the car veers to the left or right. A correctly aligned car will stay straight.