What Does It Mean When I Am Told My Wheels Need an Alignment?
There are a number of different maintenance tasks which may need to be performed on your vehicle from time to time. Many of them, you are already familiar with, such as oil changes and brake jobs. But some of these maintenance tasks are less common, and less familiar to the average driver. One such job is a wheel alignment. If you have been told that you need a wheel alignment, we hope this article will clear up any confusion you may have on the subject.
How Does This Happen?
When your car rolls off the factory floor, it should be in perfect alignment. Everything is nicely square, and it is able to track a straight line with ease. If you've ever purchased a brand-new car, you already know just how easy they are to drive. Keeping the tires pointed straight ahead requires virtually no input on your part, and the vehicle responds easily and accurately when you turn the wheel.
Unfortunately, this period of alignment perfection doesn't last long. The real world gets in the way soon enough, and your vehicle will likely be knocked out of alignment, at least to some degree. Often, your alignment will be the victim of bad roads. Those who drive on rough roads frequently - such as roads with numerous potholes, or unpaved roads - are usually going to see alignment problems sooner rather than later. Also, a single event can do damage to your alignment, such as an accident or even hitting a curb. Even drivers who take great care of their cars can't completely protect them from the realities of day to day driving, so alignment problems are extremely common.
Look for Signs of Trouble
You don't need to be a professional mechanic to spot signs of poor alignment. In fact, you are likely to be the first person to notice that something is wrong, since you are the one driving the car each day. If you notice some of the classic signs of alignment trouble, it would be wise to bring your car or truck to Taylor & Sons Chevy right away for service.
For most drivers, the first sign that something is off will be the fact that the vehicle is having trouble tracking a straight line down the road. Even though you are holding the wheel steady, with the aim of maintaining a straight line, the vehicle may be pulling to the right or left. This is almost certainly due to poor alignment. When your alignment is nice and square, the vehicle should have no problem rolling straight down the road.
Pulling to the right or left is the easiest way for most drivers to notice alignment problems, but it is not the only sign available. Other possibilities include uneven wear on your tires or a squealing noise coming from your tires. Take a moment to check out the tread on your tires while your vehicle is parked to see if you notice anything that looks unusual. If one side of the tire is worn dramatically more than the other side, it's a good bet that alignment is to blame.
Why Does It Matter?
We understand that you probably aren't in a rush to bring your vehicle into the shop for any reason. You have a busy life to lead, and this is another chore that you'll have to squeeze into your schedule. With that said, it is important that you make time to have your alignment addressed as soon as possible.
One of the biggest reasons to have your alignment corrected is for the benefit of your tires. It is almost certain that your tires will wear out sooner with poor alignment than they would have if your alignment was properly squared away. As you know, replacing a set of tires can be a costly proposition, so extending the life of your current set is desirable. In addition, a vehicle which is properly aligned may actually use less fuel. It is inefficient to continually have to correct your path down the road, meaning a well-aligned vehicle should be more efficient thanks to its ability to drive in a straight line.
Finally, there is something to be said for the improved feeling of driving a car with accurate alignment. You will feel as though you are in better control of the car, and your overall driving experience will be improved. Driving should be something you enjoy, not a chore you dread - and taking the time to have your alignment corrected is a big step in that direction.
Staying on Course
Once you have had your alignment corrected by the talented team here at Taylor & Sons Chevy, there are a few small things you can do to help your vehicle remain aligned for as many miles as possible. For starters, it is a good idea to avoid weighing down the back of your vehicle with too much stuff. This can lower your vehicle height in the back, and your alignment can be affected. Also, you may see some benefit from making sure the proper amount of air is in your tires on a consistent basis.
One other point which should be made is that conservative, careful driving is likely to help. If you are requiring your vehicle to work hard as a result of aggressive steering, braking, and more, all of those actions are going to show themselves in the form of wear and tear. Take it easy, and you should be able to protect your alignment moving forward.
The team at Taylor & Sons Chevy would be happy to take care of your vehicle's alignment issues. We have a qualified staff working on site, and we'll be able to answer all of your questions before work begins. Thank you for taking the time to learn about wheel alignment and its importance in the overall health of your car or truck. We look forward to serving you soon!