However, wheel alignments are also one of the most often neglected maintenance tasks since many motorists are prone to thinking their vehicle is fine as long as it still starts, drives, and brakes properly. While this is certainly true to some extent, any issues associated with wheel alignment are not always easy to notice until they’ve already caused considerable harm to you and your tires.

At Scotty’s Automotive, we are faced with the issue of misaligned wheels in all sorts of vehicles, from cars to sports utility vehicles and trucks, despite claims from the owner that the vehicle drives fine. Nevertheless, even the smallest difference in the angle of the wheel alignment can easily become a major problem due to the heavier construction of modern cars, larger wheels, and tires made for high performance.

What Wheel Alignment Actually Is

In essence, wheel alignment is an adjustment of your suspension angles to allow your tires to be positioned as the manufacturers designed them. It’s less about straightening the tires and more about ensuring the angles that control tire performance are within a normal range. There are several primary angles to consider: toe, camber, and caster.

You might want to memorize those terms, but what’s important here is that any deviation from the normal values will make your tires drag, scrub, and/or pull rather than roll smoothly.

The Real Cost Of Driving Slightly Out Of Alignment

While misalignment will usually cause such easily noticeable effects as a crooked steering wheel and pull to one side, the real damage might have been done well before you started feeling the symptoms.

One of the most expensive outcomes is uneven tire wear. You can lose thousands of miles of tire life from alignment drift, especially if the wear pattern hits the inside or outside shoulder of the tire. We’ve had customers come in frustrated about “bad tires,” only to find the tires were doing exactly what misalignment forces them to do.

Misalignment will also affect the fuel efficiency of the car. The more the engine has to work to maintain the speed that it should have, the more fuel the car uses up. Though it might seem insignificant, it will definitely accumulate over time with driving around town.

Another problem is the fatigue of the driver. If the vehicle pulls towards one direction while cruising down the highway, then the driver will need to adjust accordingly. Eventually, he will feel tired.

Why Alignments Go Out More Easily Than People Expect

A lot of drivers assume alignment only changes after a major accident or suspension repair. In reality, everyday driving is enough to knock things out over time.

There are several things that cause an alignment to drift, such as potholes, curbs, going a little too fast over speed bumps, and rough roads. Vehicles that carry loads or trailers or drive on irregular surfaces are prone to alignment drift. Normal wear of components in the steering and suspension systems can also affect alignment.

If you recently installed new tires, lifted your truck, changed the suspension and steering components, or find that your steering wheel isn’t aligned properly, then you should get your alignment checked.

The Warning Signs Drivers Often Ignore

Here are a few signs we recommend taking seriously before they turn into tire replacement or handling problems:

• Your vehicle pulls left or right on a straight road, even with proper tire pressure
• Your steering wheel is off-center when driving straight
• You feel wandering or looseness at highway speeds
• You notice uneven tire wear, especially on the inner or outer edges
• You hear tire noise that seems to be getting louder over time

If any of these sound familiar, a quick alignment check can save you from burning through a set of tires early.

Alignment And Safety: The Part Most People Don’t Think About

Alignment doesn’t just protect your tires; it protects your control of the vehicle. When your wheels aren’t tracking correctly, braking stability and cornering confidence can drop. That matters in sudden stops, wet weather, and emergency maneuvers.

Misalignment can also mask other issues. For instance, the need for tires may be due to a misalignment resulting from a worn part of the suspension system. Early diagnosis allows you to save money on bigger repairs in the future.

How Often Should You Get An Alignment?

The answer varies for different drivers, but generally speaking, you can have alignment done whenever you replace tires, whenever the suspension system undergoes servicing, or when changes in handling are noted. Many drivers find an annual check-up is enough, particularly when they drive through rugged terrain or drive their vehicles excessively.

Truck owners who tow or haul loads should also take extra precautions with their vehicles’ alignment. They are more prone to having misaligned wheels, and besides that, truck tires cost a lot, and early wear due to misalignment would be very costly.

What To Expect When We Check Your Alignment

We will begin by asking you to describe any problems you’ve noticed while driving your vehicle, and then we will examine your tires’ wear pattern as well as the suspension and steering system components that can cause drift. If we identify any faulty or worn parts, you’ll be informed of the situation because misalignment cannot be maintained under such circumstances.

After ensuring everything is in good shape, we proceed to adjust the angles to specifications and confirm proper centering of the steering wheel and tracking ability of your vehicle. It’s as simple as that: improved handling, increased tire life, and safer driving.

Let’s Get Your Vehicle Tracking Straight Again

If your car or truck seems less stable than before or has uneven wear on tires, you don’t want to have to prematurely replace them due to alignment issues. Call us at (845) 720-3584 today and schedule your wheel alignment with us at Scotty’s Automotive.