If you have not had a wheel alignment lately and you have been doing some rough driving, you might consider adding this inexpensive maintenance item to your periodic service routine. This important but often overlooked service is critical for keeping your vehicle driving smoother and increasing the longevity of your tire treads. In this month’s blog post, we cover the common cause for wheel alignment issues, and discuss the importance of keeping them properly aligned.
What is Wheel Alignment?
When your vehicle’s wheels are aligned, this means that the angles of the wheels are straight with the steering. There are different angles that determine the best alignment, including:
- The Toe Angle: The toe measures the inward and outward angle of the tires when viewing the tires from above the vehicle.
- The Camber Angle: The camber is a measurement of the angle of the tires when looking at the tires from the front of the vehicle.
- The Caster Angle: The caster is the view of the tires from the side of the vehicle.
When examining a vehicle for alignment issues, the three angles factor into the type of wear you may see on your tires. A service professional will determine if the angles are positive or negative and adjust them based on the vehicle and manufacturer specifications.
Factors that Impact Alignment
Your vehicle components are designed to withstand a lot of wear and tear through normal driving. However, there are times when you may subject your vehicle to conditions that increase wear and tear of these components. Wheel alignment issues tend to surface more from road hazards that in most cases can be avoided.
The more common ways that you may knock your wheel alignment out include:
- Driving over speed bumps
- Driving through potholes
- Hitting a curb
- An accident
- Driving on rough or uneven road surfaces
It is always advisable to reduce speed when driving over speed bumps or driving through potholes. Always keep an eye ahead so you can anticipate any road hazards, and drive at a reasonable speed.
Symptoms of Alignment Problems
The good news with wheel alignment is that when there is a problem there are tell-tale signs, such as:
- Uneven or Excessive Tire Tread Wear: You may notice that there is wearing on certain places of your treads. When your tires are aligned, rotated, and balanced, the wear should be gradual and not as noticeable.
- Vibration of the Steering Wheel: During operation, if the steering wheel vibrates or shakes, this may be an indication that there’s an alignment problem.
- Vehicle Moves to One Direction: Wheel alignment problems cause your vehicle to move or glide in one direction. This is noticeable when you are driving on a straight road and if you briefly let your hands off the steering wheel. If the wheels are aligned, the vehicle will continue moving straight. If the alignment is out, the vehicle will begin to drift in one direction.
- Steering Performance: Alignment problems can affect your steering; you may notice a drop in performance when you make turns and it requires more effort to return the steering wheel to the neutral position.
If you think that your vehicle may be experiencing alignment problems, give the service professionals at Colonial Service Station a call to schedule a full inspection.