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You rely on your car to get you where you need to go, so it’s important to make sure everything is in good working order. One of the most important aspects of car maintenance is ensuring your wheel alignment is correct. Wheel alignment issues can cause three basic problems on your car: irregular tire wear, handling problems and a crooked steering wheel. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what causes these issues and how you can avoid them!
What is Wheel Alignment?
Wheel alignment is a process where the angles of your wheels are adjusted to manufacturer specifications. It helps ensure optimal tire performance and safety, as well as improving fuel efficiency. During a wheel alignment service, technicians will adjust different aspects of the vehicle’s suspension system such as the caster, camber, and toe angle.
What Causes Wheel Alignment Issues?
Wheel alignment issues can arise due to a variety of reasons. One common cause is driving over bumps and potholes, which can knock the wheels out of alignment. Other causes include wear and tear on suspension components, hitting curbs or other objects while parking, as well as general aging of the car’s suspension system.
Signs of Issues
Irregular tire wear is the most common sign of wheel alignment issues. You may also experience handling problems, such as the car pulling to one side or the steering wheel appearing crooked when driving straight. If you suspect your car has a wheel alignment problem, it’s important to take it to an auto repair shop as soon as possible.
How to Avoid Wheel Alignment Issues
The best way to avoid wheel alignment issues is to stay up-to-date with regular maintenance. Have your wheels aligned on a regular basis, at least once a year or every 10,000 miles (whichever comes first). Also, be sure to have any worn or damaged suspension components replaced as soon as possible. Another helpful tip is to avoid driving over large bumps and potholes whenever you can.
Keeping your wheels in alignment is key to maintaining a smooth ride and avoiding costly repairs down the line.
Can You Fix Alignment Problems at Home?
It is not recommended to adjust the angle of your wheels at home. It is strongly recommended to let a professional handle it as improper adjustments can cause further damage and make your car unsafe. It’s best to leave this procedure up to a trained technician who has the necessary tools and knowledge to do the job correctly.
How it’s Fixed
In the past, as with body-on-frame vehicles and those having non-independent rear suspensions, front-end alignment was usually all you needed to have you on the straight and narrow again. With today’s unibody designs and multilink independent rear suspensions, four-wheel alignment is recommended to have all tires working together and tracking in the same direction.
Depending on the adjustments available on your vehicle, alignment is a procedure that involves adjusting the camber, the outward or inward tilt of the tires when viewed head-on; caster, a front or rear tilt when viewed from the side; and toe, which way your tires are pointed when viewed from above. Toe-in means they are pointed inward, toe-out means they are turning away from each other.
Tire alignment services require specialized equipment and trained technicians. It requires the proper tools to diagnose, repair, replace and properly align your vehicle. It’s not an easy fix like changing your motor oil and should be done by a dealership or repair shop.
How Often to Have it Checked
We recommend checking your car’s wheel alignment every 6,000 miles or approximately every six months. Keeping your wheels in proper alignment not only makes for a smoother ride, it can also help preserve fuel economy, help your tires last longer, and prevent costly repairs down the road.
Wheel Alignment at Scott’s Auto
At Scott’s Auto Service, we offer a full wheel alignment service. Our technicians are highly trained and can accurately adjust the vehicle’s suspension system to manufacturer specifications. We use only the highest quality tools and equipment available, ensuring your car is safe and running smoothly. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.
