Being a car owner reaches with a lot of responsibilities. You need to take care of and maintain your car regularly to get the most out of it. If proper care is not taken, it can not only damage your vehicle but can also lead to an accident. Aligning your car’s wheels regularly is one of the main things that you should take care of while maintaining your car.
Wheel alignment refers to checking and adjusting the angles of each of the wheels in relation to each other and the car. Incorrect wheel alignment of your car can result in reduced tire life. Correct wheel alignment is essential for good handling of the car and plays a very important role in increasing the life of the tire. Signs of incorrect wheel alignment include:
- Vibrations
- Car drift
- A car drags to one side while driving at highway speeds
- The vehicle is unstable and keeps rocking from side to side
- Tires wear unevenly
- A bad steering system is a big sign of incorrect wheel alignment. If your wheels are properly aligned, The steering wheel should generally return to the center position after turning.
- As a car owner, it is important to know how often wheel alignment needs to be done.
Some examples of when you need to get a wheel alignment done for your car:
- Typically, there is no time frame within which the alignment is required. However, when you take your car out for regular servicing, the mechanic will assess the wheels and accordingly decide whether the wheels need to be aligned or not. However, it is advisable that you get a wheel alignment done every 2 to 3 years. If you get new tires fitted, you can also get a wheel alignment done during that time.
- If your car has gone through very bad roads or has been involved in an accident, then it is the right time to get a wheel alignment done.
- Depending on the region you drive your car in, you may need a wheel alignment more than once a year. This can happen more often if you are driving on rough roads.
- Your steering wheel should return to its normal position (center) after turning the wheel. However, if you notice that this is not happening, it could be due to the misalignment of your wheels. This is the time when you need a wheel alignment for your car.
- If you notice that your car is pulling to one side while you drive, it may be time to have a wheel alignment done. It is the best idea to take your car to a reputed service center to get this done, as skilled and experienced mechanics will be able to tell you whether your wheels need to be aligned or not.
What could be causing your wheels to be out of alignment?
- If you do a lot of off-road trips
- If your car hits a pothole
- If your car meets with an accident
- Normal wear and tear, where you need to go for a regular wheel alignment every 2 to 3 years
- Bump into a concrete parking stall
Benefits of getting your car wheels aligned:
- Your vehicle will stay stable on the road and handle better
- you extend the life of your tires
- Suspension and steering components will last longer
- You can maximize the fuel efficiency of your cars; Cars whose wheels are out of alignment typically have a 7% reduction in fuel efficiency!
- Your car is more secure; If you are driving in wet conditions, it is important that your car can stop safely. The tread on your tires has a direct impact on the stopping distance of your car. If you want to extend the tread life of your tires, you need to align your wheels regularly
It is important as a car owner to be able to identify the signs that your wheels are in misalignment. Generally, it is recommended to align the wheels every 2 to 3 years. However, to ensure optimum safety for your car, yourself, and others around you, it is best to opt for a wheel alignment every time you go to change the vehicle’s oil.
It is also important to visit a reputed service center to get your car’s wheel alignment done. Skilled and experienced car technicians will be able to get your wheels aligned as needed. You should avoid doing this on your own as it may cause further damage to your vehicle. Locate the best service center near you and take your car for regular servicing and wheel alignment to ensure optimum maintenance and usage of your car.
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