Maintaining your car is more than just oil changes and tire rotations—wheel alignment is key. It ensures a smooth, safe, and efficient driving experience. But what is it, why does it matter, and how often should you check it? Let’s break it down.
What Is Wheel Alignment?
Wheel alignment adjusts your car’s wheels to the manufacturer’s specs, ensuring proper camber, toe, and caster angles. This improves handling, promotes even tire wear, and ensures safer driving.
Key Benefits of Wheel Alignment
1. Improved Vehicle Safety
Proper wheel alignment improves your vehicle's safety by ensuring better steering, braking, and handling. Misalignment can lead to risky driving situations.
2. Minimized Tire Wear
Misaligned wheels cause uneven tire wear, leading to frequent replacements. Regular alignments extend tire life, save money, and improve safety.
3. Better Fuel Efficiency
Poor wheel alignment increases rolling resistance, making your engine work harder and using more fuel. Aligning your tires improves gas mileage and saves trips to the pump.
4. A Smoother Ride
Improper alignment causes pulling, vibrations, and discomfort. Proper alignment ensures a smoother, more enjoyable ride.
5. Enhanced Vehicle Longevity
Proper wheel alignment prevents excessive wear on suspension and steering, keeping your car running smoothly longer.
How Often Is Wheel Alignment Necessary?
The frequency of wheel alignment depends on several factors, such as your typical driving conditions, the age of your car, and how well it’s maintained.
General Recommendations:
Every 1-2 Years: Most experts recommend having your wheel alignment checked every 12,000 to 15,000 miles or at least once a year.
After a Bump or Accident: If you've hit a curb, driven over a pothole, or been involved in a collision, it’s wise to get your alignment checked immediately. These incidents can easily throw your wheels out of alignment.
When Installing New Tires: Properly aligning your wheels when getting new tires can prevent uneven wear from the start.
If You Notice Warning Signs: Be proactive if you experience symptoms like your car pulling to one side, uneven tire wear, a crooked steering wheel, or vibrations while driving. All of these are indicators that your alignment might be off.
What Happens if You Ignore Wheel Alignment?
Driving with poor alignment increases tire wear, fuel use, and risks damage to your suspension or steering. Over time, this leads to costly repairs and safety risks.
Trust the Experts with Your Alignment Needs
At Lackey Body Works, our certified technicians provide expert wheel alignment using state-of-the-art equipment to ensure optimal performance and safety. We also offer a full range of vehicle services, including collision repair, so you can trust us with all your car's maintenance needs. Schedule your appointment today and experience professional care that keeps your vehicle at its best!
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