Why should I maintain wheel alignment?
There are many reasons why sticking to your manufacturer’s recommended wheel alignment schedule is a good idea. Here, we discuss five of those reasons.
1. Improved vehicle safety.
If your vehicle is overdue for a wheel alignment, you could be compromising your safety. Misaligned wheels can make steering increasingly difficult, creating a lack of vehicle control.
Having a wheel alignment service can provide you with a vehicle that offers safe and predictable handling characteristics. In turn, this will increase your on-road driver safety.
2. Greater fuel efficiency.
Wheels typically become misaligned over time, which causes the tyres to drag. As a result, the engine works harder to propel the vehicle forward. This kind of unnecessary strain on the engine can result in increased fuel consumption.
A wheel alignment will alleviate this issue by ensuring that:
- the angles of the wheels are perpendicular to the ground
- the wheels are parallel to each other
In doing so, the wheels and tyres work together to maximise the fuel efficiency of your vehicle.
3. Longer lasting tyres.
Sticking to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations for a wheel alignment, in conjunction with a tyre rotation, can greatly improve tyre life. It can minimise the amount of wear and tear that your tyres receive and assist in achieving even tyre wear.
You can find out when your next wheel alignment is due by taking a look in your owner’s manual. Typically, you should have a wheel alignment every 10,000 kilometres. You should also have a wheel alignment whenever you have new tyres fitted.
4. Smoother driving experience.
Misaligned tyres can cause you to experience a sensation that your vehicle is pulling to the left or right. This can result in an unpleasant driving experience. You may notice bumps, jarring and a vibration through the steering wheel.
Not only this, you may feel as though you want to constantly adjust your steering. All of these factors contribute towards creating an unpleasant and potentially hazardous driving experience.
A wheel alignment may resolve these issues and allow you to enjoy a safer, smoother driving experience.
5. Avoiding expensive repairs later on.
Ignoring the warning signs of misaligned wheels, or failure to adhere to the manufacturer’s wheel alignment schedule can be an expensive mistake. Misaligned wheels can cause premature wear to the various components of your car. These include the tyres, steering, suspension and brakes.
You can check your tyres for signs of uneven or premature wear, which may be an indicator that you have an alignment issue:
If you notice any of the following signs of uneven or premature wear, these can be indicators that your car needs a wheel alignment. You contact the trusted professionals at our West Ryde store to arrange a booking:
- Head and toe wear: this is where one side of the tyre’s individual tread blocks appear to be wearing down at a faster rate than the other (in tyre’s rolling direction). This can increase tyre noise and vibration.
- Camber wear: the outside or inside edge of the tyre tread appears more worn than the centre of the tread.
- Feathering: the tread is worn on one side and sharp on the other. This can be caused by a combination of improper alignment settings.
Is your vehicle due for a wheel alignment service? Marks & Wallings can assist. We provide a range of services, including wheel alignments and tyre rotations and offer our services to those in West Ryde and the surrounding areas, including Ryde, Eastwood and Gladesville.
Contact us today. A wheel alignment greatly assists in achieving maximum tyre wear and enhances the overall safety and handling of your vehicle.