Why Should You Have Your Wheel Alignment Checked?
Many Australian motorists have their car's wheel alignment checked but only when they have a new set of tyres fitted. Although this is an obvious time to confirm the alignment of your wheels, it is not the only time you should have them checked. Some mechanics would recommend having your alignment confirmed at least once a year, perhaps as part of a normal car service. Why is it important to ensure your car's wheel alignment is in good order?
Preserve Your Tyres
When you adjust the tracking of your car, the alignment of its tyres will be improved. This is important because misaligned tyres will wear down sooner than they otherwise would have done. If you look at a pair of tyres which have been running for a time in a position that is not perfectly parallel, then you will commonly see radial wear on one or both of your them. In effect, this is because they will pull against one another to a degree which results in the premature wearing. In short, if you want your tyres to last as long as possible, then ensure your alignment is in good order.
Keep Driving Straight
When you have misaligned tyres, your car will drift from one side of the road to another. This often feels as though your car is pulling either to the left of the right. All too often, drivers compensate for this by holding onto their steering wheel more tightly. This is fighting the problem rather than dealing with it. If your concentration drops for whatever reason, then you could easily change lane without realising it — something that is dangerous for you, your car passengers and other road users.
Improve Your Fuel Economy
Cars that do not have their wheels checked for their alignment regularly will often see a drop in fuel economy. This is because they are not entirely set up to keep you going forwards. Indeed, your car could see a drop in its fuel efficiency of up to ten per cent if its tyres are not aligned properly. So, if you drive a lot for work, then the cost of having your alignment checked will soon be earned back by the money you save on fuel.
Stop More Safely
When cars are set up in a misaligned manner, they are not able to come to a stop as rapidly as they otherwise would. This is often down to nothing more than the amount of tread that can be deployed successfully to bring you to a halt. In short, tyre alignment plays a big part in road safety.
For more information on wheel alignment, reach out to your nearest auto service.
