Making sure your vehicle’s wheels are properly aligned is crucial. Alignment can affect numerous aspects of a vehicle, including safety, efficiency, and longevity. That being said, many people don’t understand the true importance of proper alignment or how to determine if it’s time for professional intervention. If you fall into that category, read on to learn more.
Why Is Wheel Alignment Important?
Proper alignment car Lexington, KY is important for several reasons. At the most basic level, it’ll ensure the vehicle’s tires wear evenly. If your wheels aren’t properly aligned, your tires won’t wear out at the same pace. Either specific tires or their inside or outside edges will receive the brunt of the wear and tear caused by the weight of the car and friction against the road.
As such, you’ll need to replace the affected tires more frequently. If wear is distributed evenly, the tires will wear out more slowly, so you won’t have to replace them as often. That, alone, could save you a great deal of money over time.
Improved Fuel Efficiency
Properly aligned wheels will improve your vehicle’s fuel efficiency as well. Misaligned wheels create more resistance against the road. That means it takes more power and fuel to keep a vehicle moving. If the wheels are aligned, though, the vehicle will require less fuel to move smoothly.
Preventing More Extensive Damage
As noted, improperly aligned wheels lead to greater tire wear. That’s not the only problem that could ensue, though. If the wheels are out of alignment, they could cause steering and suspension damage as well as other problems over time. Having the wheels aligned from time to time is far less costly than having more in-depth repairs carried out.
Improved Safety
Additionally, properly aligned wheels contribute to vehicle safety. If the wheels aren’t aligned, the tires aren’t making optimal contact with the road. That could detract from both handling and traction. It’ll also affect your ability to deal with wet and icy roads as well as your capacity to respond to unexpected situations while driving.
Signs That You Need Vehicle Alignment
Several warning signs can let you know it’s time for an alignment. If you notice uneven wear patterns on your tires, such as more damage on the inner or outer edges, that’s a surefire sign you need wheel alignment. If your vehicle pulls to the left or right even though the steering wheel is turned straight, improper alignment is most likely the culprit. From another perspective, if you have to turn your steering wheel a bit to the left or right to keep the vehicle going straight, alignment issues are probably to blame.
Professional Wheel Alignment for Optimal Results
When any of those issues arise, it’s important to have professional wheel alignment performed as soon as possible. Be sure to have the wheels aligned after having new tires put on or suspension and steering repairs performed as well. Professional technicians have specialized equipment to precisely adjust the wheels of your vehicle so that they’re in optimal positions. That’ll give you improved safety, handling, and fuel efficiency while also preserving your tires and other components.
