Wheel alignment directly affects your ability to control your automobile. If your wheels are not aligned properly, you’ll find yourself fighting with your car, truck, or C/SUV to make it go in the direction that you want it to go. Aligning your wheels is as important as having your tires rotated and balanced; the only difference is that you don’t have to have the wheels aligned as often. Scotty’s Automotive Service, LLC, talks about wheel alignment and answers the question of frequency below.
Wheel Alignment Frequency
The general rule of thumb is you should have your automobile’s wheels aligned every two or three years depending on how much you drive. Check your owner’s manual to see if your vehicle manufacturer recommends a specific alignment schedule and then stick to it. This is important because the duration between wheel alignments is determined in part by your vehicle’s wheel engineering and production.
There are times when you should get a wheel alignment even if it is before two years. If you put new tires on your automobile, have the wheels balanced and aligned at the same time. If you knock your wheels out of alignment, get that fixed right away. Things that can knock the wheel alignment whacky include auto accidents, hitting curbs, and driving over bumps, potholes, or speed bumps too fast.
Signs Your Wheels Are Out of Alignment
On rare occasions, the wheels can also work their way out of alignment sooner than anticipated. It’s important to pay attention to how your automobile behaves when you drive it for many reasons and your wheel alignment is one of them. The sooner you pick up on a problem the less expensive it is to fix it, and signs that your wheels are not aligned as they should be include
- Pulling to the left or right when headed straight
- Premature and uneven tire tread wear
- A crooked steering wheel logo when the wheel is upright
- Noise when you use the steering wheel
- Squealing tires when you make turns
Misaligned wheels not only reduce the life you’ll get out of your set of tires but also making driving difficult and even dangerous at times. Regain control of your vehicle by ensuring the wheels are aligned and balanced. Otherwise, you may find yourself too focused on controlling your car, truck, or utility vehicle as it fights with you to head elsewhere.
Scotty’s Automotive Service, LLC, is a full-service auto shop in Montague, NJ, and we align wheels. Call us for an appointment today.
