Tire or wheel alignments are regular part of automotive maintenance and normally done one or twice a year. An alignment is necessary for the best possible driving experience.
Regular alignments can help your tires perform properly and even help them last longer. It can also improve handling, keep your vehicle from pulling in one direction, or vibrating strangely on the road.
But what is a tire alignment and how do you know if you need one?
Despite the name, a tire alignment actually corrects the suspension, not the tire itself. During an alignment, the angles of the tires are adjusted which affects how they make contact with the road.
There are a number of signs that it could be time for a tire alignment. Along with the symptoms listed below, it is important to take other factors into consideration.
Do you drive on particularly rough roads? Do you have a habit of contacting curbs? Have you been driving on roads riddled with ruts and pot holes? These could all point to needing an alignment, or needing them more often.
It is often recommended to get a tire alignment after putting on a set of new tires.
A general recommendation is to have your alignment checked at the first signs of misalignment or with our tire change over in the spring and fall.
There are a few noticeable signs that could indicate a misalignment. Your eyes, ears, and hands can all easily help you when checking if an alignment is needed.
The most common signs of misalignment are pulling to one side while you're driving.
Improper wheel or tire alignment can cause your tires to wear unevenly and prematurely. Ideally, you should see even wear across your tires' treads if you are keeping up with rotations. Poor alignment can shorten your tires' lifespan by thousands of miles and compromise crucial steering and suspension components -- which you will feel in your wallet as well as in your driving.
Enjoy better fuel economy and longer-lasting tires by having your alignment checked regularly. When an alignment is needed, it will be a smaller bill to swallow if it is caught early.
Our specialists at the Quick Lane Tire and Auto Center are able to help you with all your tire needs, including alignments. If you have any questions or would like more information on tire alignments or any other automotive concern, please contact our team today.