I still remember the day that I bought my first car. I thought it was the most perfect vehicle in the world, and I vowed to care for it diligently. Unfortunately, within a few days I had forgotten about my promise, and I started tossing fast food wrappers in the back like everyone else. After awhile I realized that neglecting my car was turning the inside into a garbage pit, and I decided to learn how to take better care of my vehicle. I took a class on auto detailing, and it really helped me to turn things around. I want to teach you what I learned, so you should read this blog.
People often don't pay much attention to their vehicle's wheel alignment until they encounter a problem. However, wheel alignment plays a crucial role in performance, handling, and vehicle safety and should be a part of regular maintenance.
What Is Wheel Alignment?
Wheel alignment involves adjusting the angles of the wheels and tires to the manufacturer's specifications, as well as to the ideal driving and handling characteristics. Proper wheel alignment involves adjusting the caster, camber, and toe angles of the wheels in relation to each other and the road.
These angles affect the steering and suspension of the vehicle and can make the car unmanageable as you drive. In extreme cases, misalignment can create a situation that makes the car or truck unsafe and could result in an accident if not corrected.
Pulling, Shaking, And Tire Wear
Wheel alignment affects the handling, maneuverability, and safety of your vehicle. Misaligned wheels can cause a host of problems that are not only uncomfortable but also dangerous. For instance, when the wheels are not correctly aligned, the vehicle may pull to one side or the other while driving. This can cause you to lose control of your vehicle at high speed and potentially result in an accident or collision with another vehicle near you.
You may also experience excessive tire wear, which can result in costly tire replacements and, in extreme cases, cause a blowout. Because the wear is worse on one part of the tire than in other areas, it should be easy to spot with a quick visual inspection.
Fuel Economy
Proper wheel alignment is essential to maintain good fuel economy. You may not realize it, but improperly aligned wheels can increase fuel consumption.
When the wheels are not aligned, the tires may have to work harder to move the vehicle forward, causing more resistance and friction. This scuffing condition, in turn, increases fuel consumption and reduces your gas mileage.
Suspension System Wear
Vehicle wheel alignment is essential to the longevity of your vehicle's suspension system. When the wheels are misaligned, the suspension system has to work harder to absorb bumps and shocks from the road surface.
Over time, this strains the suspension components, causing them to wear out prematurely. Replacing suspension components can be expensive, so it is a good idea to check the wheel alignment regularly to avoid this issue.
While you may not notice alignment issues immediately if the handle feels off, the car is pulling, shaking, or driving differently, and you can't identify where the problem is, having the tires and wheel alignment checked can be an excellent place to start.
Share11 April 2023