How Often Should I Align My Car?
Wheel alignment is one of the most important things you can do for your car. It is a service that adjusts your car's suspension to ensure that all 4 wheels are oriented correctly. What is done during the wheel alignment process? How often should I align my car? How much does a wheel alignment cost? How long does a wheel alignment take? How do I know when my car needs a wheel alignment.? What are the benefits of having a wheel alignment? Read on to discover the answers to these questions and help your vehicle perform better on the road.
What Is Done During The Wheel Alignment Process?
Your mechanic will inspect your tires and the vehicle's suspension system. He will make a determination if a wheel alignment is needed. He will then align the ties and do a safety road check to ensure that the vehicle is driving straight on the road. Mechanics will look at the wear and tear on your tires. The front end tires often wear down faster than your back end tires. Your mechanic may make an adjustment by placing your front end tires on the back of the vehicle and replacing the front end tires completely with new tires before doing a wheel alignment.
How Often Should I Align My Car?
How often you should align your car will depend upon a few variables. Traveling frequently on the road causes tires to get out of alignment. Driving over unpaved and rocky roads can also cause alignment issues. Frequently running over bumps and potholes are also a big reason for needing wheel alignments.. People who live in larger cities and do more driving will tend to align their vehicles more often than someone who does not do a lot of road travel, Typically, your mechanic recommends that you align your vehicle every two to three years. You will also want to do a wheel alignment every time you purchase new tires. It is a general rule that you get your vehicle aligned every 6000 miles.
How Much Does A Wheel Alignment Cost?
A front end alignment typically costs between 55 dollars to 75 dollars. A 4 wheel alignment tends to cost in the range of 110 dollars to 150 dollars. Many stores offer a lifetime warranty versus a limited warranty that only lasts for a specific amount of time. The limited warranty comes with a 12 month/12,000 mile guarantee.
How Long Does A Wheel Alignment Take?
A 4 wheel alignment can take between 30 minutes to 60 minutes. A front end alignment will obviously take less time. Mechanics often say that people driving newer vehicles will be trouble free from needing a wheel alignment. Check with your vehicle's manufacturer to see if having a wheel alignment is something you should be concerned about with your newer vehicle.
How Do I Know When My Car Needs A Wheel Alignment?
Pay close attention to how your vehicle operates in order to determine if you need a wheel alignment. Signs of a bad wheel alignment include an off center steering wheel, a vibrating steering wheel, uneven tire wear, loose steering, your vehicle pulling to the right or left and an inability to keep your vehicle moving straight while driving on the road.
Benefits of Having A Wheel Alignment
Fuel Efficiency - Misaligned tires tend to drag rather ran driving freely. Experts say that misalignment can decrease gas mileage by up to 10%. This means spending more money on gasoline. A wheel alignment can help you save fuel, fill up less often and put savings in your pocket.
A Smoother Ride
Misalignment causes your vehicle to pull to the right or left leaving you with a bumpy and uncomfortable ride. Getting a wheel alignment helps to smooth out your ride, while giving you a better behind the wheel experience.
Improved Steering Control
Wheel alignments effect the steering wheel of your vehicle. Your steering wheel becomes hard to control causing you to use extra muscle just to keep the vehicle driving straight. Your inability to make the car go straight can place you in line of getting into frequent accidents that could hurt or kill others on the road. Proper steering wheel control means that you can stay clear of these problems and maintain stability of your vehicle.
Avoids Bigger Repairs
Misalignment can cause long term damage to your tires and suspension system. A little jolt here and there could also damage other parts of your vehicle. Spending a small amount of money on a wheel alignment will help your vehicle perform better on the road and avoid bumps and potholes that could lead to larger vehicle repairs.
Longer Lasting Tires
A bad wheel alignment can lead to premature and uneven tire wear.. This can lead to major car repairs. Premature wear and tear on your times can lead to feathering. This is when your tires are smooth or bald on one side and have sustainable tread on the other. Cases like this can lead to dangerous events due to lack of control of your vehicle. Camber wear is another reason to do a wheel alignment on your vehicle. Camber wear is when the edges of your tires have less tread than the center. Positive camber or tilting outside can usually keep a recreational vehicles stable. Negative camber or tilting inwardly can help a performance vehicle handle turns. Too much of either is bad for your vehicle. Heel and toe wear is another form of misalignment that will take away from the performance of your vehicle. Tires have what is known as tread blocks that often wear down faster than the other. This causes an uneven wheel alignment that needs to be repaired immediately.
These are some great advice tips on How often should I get my car aligned? Remember to choose a reputable wheel repair shop who has experience with wheel alignments. Get the best pricing and a company who has the best company review ratings. The answer to all of these questions will help you get started with keeping your wheels aligned and getting the optimum levels from your tires and your vehicle's suspension system.
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