Alignment: even if you don’t know much about how it works, you know maintaining it is part of keeping your car in good working order. That’s great, but how can you tell if your car is out of alignment? After all, there’s no handy dashboard warning light like there is for tire pressure or coolant temperature. Follow along as we demystify the purpose of your car’s alignment, why it’s so important to maintain, and how to tell if you’re in need of an alignment service. Getting your facts straight is the first step to keeping your car straight!
WHY PROPER ALIGNMENT IS SO ESSENTIAL
Proper alignment is about much more than straight wheels. Vehicle alignment can help extend the life of your tires, lead to even tire wear, make for a smooth ride, help ensure safe vehicle handling, and even help save you money on gas.
Overall, alignment deals with a vehicle’s steering and suspension systems, which are tasked with maintaining proper steering, handling and ride quality. It's the system that generally allows for a comfortable, stable drive. In other words, they are pretty important.
HOW TO TELL IF YOUR WHEELS AREN'T PROPERLY ALIGNED
Time for the big question: is your car out of alignment? Now that you know how important proper alignment is, watch out for these warning signs:
1. YOUR VEHICLE DRIFTS TO ONE SIDE OR STEERING WHEEL IS NOT CENTERED
If your car drifts to the right or left, even though the steering wheel is pointing straight, it’s a clear sign of a wheel alignment problem. Similarly, you might notice that when you are driving straight, your steering wheel is not actually pointing straight.
2. YOUR TIRES ARE WEARING UNEVENLY OR IN ABNORMAL SPOTS
When your wheels are out of alignment, your tires won’t make even contact with the road. Misalignment can cause certain parts of the tire to wear out faster than others. This may be hard to spot, since the best way to check is by comparing tread depth on the inner and outer edge of the tire. You can always ask a technician to check out your tires for uneven wear.
3. YOUR STEERING FEELS “SLOPPY” OR “LOOSE”
It might even feel like your car is wandering a bit, with a mind of its own. If the misalignment is less drastic, it may just feel like your car is not as responsive as it usually is. Whenever steering feels compromised, you should have a technician check the vehicle’s steering and suspension systems as soon as possible.
4. YOUR STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES
You can’t miss this red flag. If your vehicle is out of alignment, uneven tire wear can occur, which can cause a vibration that is felt in your steering wheel. Steering wheel vibrations can also be because of unbalanced tires or a bent rim caused by hitting a curb or pothole.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR CAR IS "OUT OF ALIGNMENT"
If left unattended, an out of whack wheel alignment could cause your tires to wear faster, among other things. Because the wheels aren’t positioned at their optimal angles, they’re facing excess friction against the surface of the road and the car has to work harder to stay in motion. Not only could the tire tread wear down more rapidly, but they'll likely wear down unevenly too.
That’s not all. A car that’s out of alignment could actually be a safety hazard. One of the first things you may notice about a misaligned car is how it drifts to one side. While this can be scary enough in normal conditions, imagine it on slippery, steep, or uneven roads. You can help keep yourself (and your passengers) safe by making sure your car is properly aligned.
If you notice any signs that your wheels are out of alignment, have your vehicle checked out as soon as you can. Even if your car isn't throwing up any red flags, it’s generally recommended that you have your alignment checked every other time you get an oil change or every 6,000 miles. Proper alignment servicing prevents excessive wear and tear on your tires and it could even help you save on gas. Schedule an appointment at your nearest Tires Plus and have your trusty vehicle serviced by one of our experienced technicians!
