Wheel alignment is an essential part of car maintenance – but why? Discover everything you need to know in this article!
Wheel alignment, also known as tyre tracking or tyre alignment, is the mechanical adjustment of your suspension system – the parts that connect the wheels to the rest of your vehicle – to ensure that they’re in the proper position.
Wheels that aren’t aligned properly can cause serious problems and have a huge impact on your comfort and safety out on the road, but wheel alignments can reduce these risks.
But how else can your vehicle benefit from regular wheel alignments?
Our experts here at CJ Auto Service reveal all you need to know in this article!
So, how often do I need a wheel alignment?
There’s no set recommendation from car and tyre manufacturers or mechanics, so the answer depends solely on your driving habits and normal conditions.
It’s always a good idea to ask for an alignment check each time your car has its service, which should be once every year or around every 12,000 miles – but if you regularly drive around on rough road surfaces or go over your average mileage, you should consider it much sooner.
What happens if I don’t get my wheels aligned?
Wheel alignment likely isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think about car maintenance, but you can’t afford to ignore it.
Waiting too long to have your wheels aligned can cause a plethora of problems for your vehicle, including:
- Steering problems
The more unbalanced your tyres get, the more unpredictable your steering will become. This can be particularly dangerous if you drive a lot on city streets, or in adverse weather conditions – like heavy rain, ice, or snow.
- Uneven tire wear
Take a second to look at your vehicle. If your wheels are properly aligned, you should be able to see wear in the same spots on each of your tyres. When your tyres are misaligned, they are forced to wear down around the edges or their weakest points – which will eventually cause severe damage to parts of the wheel and axle. This doesn’t happen slowly – it’s very sudden and will most likely happen when you’re driving at high speeds. Which, as you can imagine, can lead to some potentially serious accidents.
- Poor fuel economy
Uneven tires mean your vehicle has to work much harder to keep you moving on the road, which means it is using (and wasting) a significant amount of fuel.
Are there any hidden benefits of getting my wheels regularly aligned?
Aside from improving your steering, a smoother ride, and better fuel efficiency, regular wheel alignment offers a range of benefits for your vehicle.
Reduced road noise is just one of them.
If you’ve noticed your car has been making some strange noises whilst driving, it could mean that your tyres are misaligned.
When they aren’t aligned properly, they make an unmistakable thumping noise that’s difficult to ignore.
A professional will confirm if this is the problem and resolve it for you quickly.
Of course, regular wheel alignment will also increase the lifespan of your tyres, which in turn will preserve your vehicle’s tyre warranty cover.
Usually, you’ll lose this if your tyres are worn out due to poor wheel alignment – as the manufacturer is not at fault, and failing to get a wheel alignment constitutes negligence.
Book a wheel alignment in Warrington today
Whether it’s about time for your next wheel alignment or you feel like it’s long overdue, the team at CJ Auto is here to help with all of your wheel alignment needs.
With over 35 years of experience, you can consider us your go-to team whenever you need a wheel alignment in Warrington, as we are dedicated to keeping your car on the road.
To book a wheel alignment with us, or find out more about how the process works, give us a call today on 01925 589 066 – or email us at reception@cjautoservice.co.uk and we’ll be in touch with you shortly with more information or to arrange an appointment!
