Think about how far automobiles have come in just over 150 years. The Model T barely chugged along, and now, we have lightning-fast drag racers and semi-trucks that can haul thousands of pounds. The innovation is remarkable, and we can be pretty confident we have not seen the end of innovation in the automotive industry, either. There are a lot of vehicle companies doing their very best to create more powerful cars that are even more fun to drive. Safety features are being improved, too. Learn more about the automotive industry — an industry that impacts us all — right here on this website.
Having your wheels aligned and balanced is one of the maintenance tasks that you want to make sure you stay on top of. Here is some information that will help you to understand why it's important to make sure you don't forget about having your wheels aligned.
What is wheel alignment?
Wheel alignment is the act of adjusting the suspension so the wheels will make contact with the road at the right angle. The suspension is the system that connects the wheels to the vehicle. When wheels are properly aligned, the wheels will work together efficiently and hit the roadway at an angle that promotes a longer wheel life expectancy.
What happens when wheels aren't aligned properly?
When the wheels aren't properly aligned, it means they aren't hitting the road at a good angle, and this can cause an array of issues. When wheels hit at an improper angle, they will wear out unevenly and can wear out much faster. This means you'll need to invest in a new set of tires sooner. Plus, when the car isn't aligned correctly, it will veer off to one side of the road when you let up a bit on your grip of the steering wheel. You might also notice that the car vibrates occasionally.
What causes your vehicle to become misaligned?
There are many ways that a car's alignment can be thrown off. Something like hitting a wheel against a curb when you are parking can be enough to throw the alignment off. Also, something as simple as driving over a pothole or hitting something small that's in the roadway can throw a vehicle's alignment off.
What can happen if you continue driving a misaligned vehicle?
There are plenty of other issues that can happen when you continue to drive your vehicle with improper alignment than just needing to replace the tires sooner. More stress will be put on the suspension, and this can end up causing damage to the suspension that will require expensive repairs. Your car can be more difficult for you to steer, and this can increase your chances of being involved in an accident. Especially when you are driving at high speeds, you will need to hold on harder to the steering wheel to avoid having the car veer into the other lane. Misalignment can also negatively affect how the car stops.
To learn more, contact a company like D Wells Automotive Service.
Share15 April 2020
