Vehicle Alignment Guide

Your vehicle’s wheel alignment is crucial because, without aligned wheels, you risk your tires performing poorly and not lasting as long as they should. You also risk experiencing poor vehicle handling while driving and your car continuously pulling to one side in an annoying and potentially dangerous fashion. 

According to automotive experts, you must have your car’s wheel alignment checked and serviced every six months or 6,000 miles. This is because driving with wheel alignment issues puts your safety and the safety of others on the road at risk. 

Yet, what exactly is wheel alignment, and what do you need to know about this vital service? The team at Car Care Connection has discussed everything you need to know on this topic to help you broaden your wheel alignment knowledge and keep safe on the road. So let’s dive into our guide.

What Exactly Is Wheel Alignment? 

Your vehicle’s wheel alignment refers to how well your car’s suspension keeps your tires and wheels correctly aligned so that your vehicle drives straight. Even though the suspension has differing parts, your wheel alignment is controlled by the suspension that shifts your wheels as you shift your steering wheel. 

If your car’s wheels are correctly aligned, you should be driving in a straight line on a flat and even road with little steering effort. If it veers off in any direction – even slightly– it means your wheel alignment needs to be redone. 

What Are The Three Different Types Of Wheel Alignment

There are primarily three different types of wheel alignment, and we have briefly talked about each kind below: 

• Four-wheel alignment: This type of alignment is carried out on all-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicles. During this alignment service, all four wheels on your car will be aligned through careful positioning of the rear axle angles. 
• Two-wheel alignment: This type of wheel alignment is also known as front-end alignment and is the most common. It is the type of alignment that only applies to the front wheels and not the rear ones. 
• Thrust alignment: This type of wheel alignment is typically recommended for cars with a solid rear axle. With this type of alignment, all four wheels on a vehicle are squared to one another through front-end alignment and thrust alignment. 

To learn more about the type of alignment your vehicle will need, you can speak with us at Car Care Connection. 

What Are The Signs Your Vehicle’s Wheels Need To Be Aligned? 

So how do you know your vehicle wheel alignment needs to be checked and potentially serviced? Fortunately, it’s not a guessing game, and there are indicators that you need to align your wheels. Below are a few signs you need to be on the lookout for that indicate your vehicle’s suspension and wheels need to be stabilized. 

• Your tires are wearing faster than they should. 
• Your tire treads are uneven. 
• Your steering wheel is slightly tilted even when your tires are perpendicularly aligned on the road. 
• Your steering wheel is continuously vibrating. 
• Your vehicle is pulling to the left or right when driving. 
• Your steering wheel grip is too tight or too loose. 

Is Wheel Alignment Necessary? 

Besides being a safety hazard, there are many reasons why wheel alignment is necessary. For example, driving with irregular wheel alignment can negatively impact your car’s balance, suspension, and steering capabilities. 

In addition, if you don’t routinely get your car’s wheels aligned per OEM recommendations, you risk future repairs on top of your wheel alignment. For example, you could need to replace your vehicle’s suspension, steering brushing, ball joints, and tie and track rods. 

Moreover, improper wheel alignment could also cause your car’s tires to sustain premature wear and tear due to the vibrations it causes. 

As you can tell, there are many reasons why wheel alignment is important. If you want to get your vehicle’s wheel alignment checked or serviced, you can speak with us at Car Care Connection. 

Our automotive technicians have the skills needed to properly align your vehicle’s tires – keeping you and others safe while reducing the likelihood of expensive repairs in the future. Simply contact us here, and one of our expert team members will reach out to help you make a booking.

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