What is Wheel Alignment?
Wheel alignment refers to adjusting the angles of the wheels. It helps the wheels stay parallel to each other and perpendicular to the ground. This adjustment system connects the wheel to your vehicle called the suspension. The suspension system keeps all four tires working together at the same speed and direction. Adjusting the suspension also offers better tire contact with the road. However, the primary purpose of getting the wheels aligned is to optimize the lifespan of tires and ensure that the car moves straight without pulling to one side.
Wheel alignment is an essential part of your vehicle service, which impacts the handling and safety of the vehicle. Here are some reasons why wheel alignment is necessary:
Handling and Driving Experience
Misalignment can cause many issues, such as making the car drift or pull to one side and cause the steering wheel to vibrate. By aligning the wheels, these issues get rectified, leading to a smoother/comfortable ride, better handling, and improved steering response. It also reduces driver fatigue and enhances the driving experience.
Tire Lifespan and Performance
Misaligned wheels often lead to uneven and premature tire wear. By aligning your wheels, you can ensure uniform contact of tires with the road, optimized tread performance and enhanced tire lifespan. It can reduce the frequency of tire replacement, leading to long-term cost reduction.
Optimal Fuel Efficiency
Proper wheel alignment contributes to optimal fuel efficiency. When the wheels are misaligned, the car’s engine works harder to move the vehicle forward, leading to higher fuel consumption. When the wheels are aligned, it reduces the rolling resistance, allowing the car to run more efficiently and reducing carbon emissions.
Suspension Components
Suspension systems safeguard you and your vehicle from accidents. They also maintain the wheel alignment to avoid rolling over when driving the car. Misaligned wheels can lead to uneven wear and tear of suspension components. Hence, regular alignment checks and adjustments can prevent excessive wear on shocks, struts and other suspension components, extending their lifespan.
Road Safety
With misaligned wheels, you can have difficulty controlling the car, especially during sudden turns, stops or challenging weather conditions. There is a high risk of accidents in such scenarios. Proper wheel alignment ensures stable vehicle control, reducing the chances of vehicle handling and enhancing road safety.
Higher Resale Value
Maintaining proper wheel alignment helps the overall well-being of your car. A well-maintained vehicle with a regular wheel alignment will probably have a higher resale value than one without a history of wheel alignment. It indicates a well-cared-for car, reducing the depreciation rate.
Preventative Maintenance
Regular wheel alignment is a type of preventative maintenance. It identifies and corrects the alignment before any extensive damage happens. It checks the state of the steering and suspension system, detecting issues early and reducing the probability of expensive repairs in the future.
Here are three types of car wheel alignment:
Three primary types of wheel alignment exist:
Some signs of misaligned wheels include:
