If your car feels shaky and the steering wheel is vibrating,
it may need a wheel alignment. An alignment is an important part of vehicle
maintenance that will save you money in the long run.
WHAT IS A WHEEL ALIGNMENT?
An alignment involves adjusting three main angles of your
tires to ensure the car is tracking straight, or driving where you point the
steering wheel. Over time, your car’s suspension endures enough abuse from the
road to shuffle and jostle things out of their original position.
Given enough time on the road, this happens to every car.
Add other mishaps like bumping into a curb or driving over a speed bump too
quickly and your suspension and steering can be rendered unsafe.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CAR NEEDS AN ALIGNMENT
If your steering wheel is off center but the car is driving
straight, it’s probably time for an alignment. Alternatively, you can probably
draw the same conclusion if the steering wheel is centered, but the car isn’t
driving straight.
Finally, it’s time to seriously consider an alignment if the
car wanders from side to side on the road.
WHY GET AN ALIGNMENT?
If your alignment isn’t correct, the car will react
differently to than the manufacturer intended and the more time you drive your
misaligned vehicle, the more damage you’ll do to the suspension and steering
components.
Additionally, the lifespan of your tires can suffer
drastically from poor alignment. Tires are designed with the idea that a
specific part will make contact with the road. A misaligned car will put them
at an incorrect angle, meaning that the right part of the tire isn’t making
contact with the road. Your tires will wear unevenly or wear out sooner than
they should, which means you’ll have to replace them more frequently.
SAVE TIRES, SAVE FUEL
Fuel economy is another major reason to get your alignment
checked. In addition to forcing more frequent tire purchases, the improper way
the tire rolls on the road will create more resistance, forcing your car to
work harder, using more fuel.
Getting your alignment checked is an excellent way to ensure
your safety and proper operation of your car. Spending a little bit to get your
alignment fixed will save you money on tires and fuel in the future. Costing
about $80 to $100, an alignment is good money spent for safety, fuel savings
and peace of mind.