When taking your car to the auto repair shop for routine maintenance, your wheels should be checked to ensure correct alignment. Misaligned wheels tend to point in the wrong direction, which affects your steering and compromises your safety on the road. Here are a few things you should know about alignment and why it’s an imperative part of auto maintenance. 

What You Should Know About Wheel Alignment

What Causes It?

There are several ways for your vehicle to get out of alignment, most of which involve considerable impact on your tires and suspension. Driving over deep potholes, hitting the curb at high speeds, and bottoming out over large speed bumps can throw off your alignment over time. Collisions — even the smallest of fender benders — and normal vehicle wear and tear can also cause your tires to sit at the wrong angle.  

How Do You Know If Your Tires Are Misaligned?

Since improper alignment isn’t as obvious as a braking issue at the onset, auto repair shops rely on a computerized machine to detect any deviation from correct specifications. However, you can keep an eye out for the warning signs while you’re on the road.

Pay attention to your vehicle pulling to one side or apparent crookedness of the steering wheel, even as you drive in a straight line. Look at your front tires and check for uneven or premature tread wear on their inner or outer edges. These are all indicators that your wheels are out of alignment.

Why Is It Important to Fix Misalignment?

Bear in mind that proper wheel alignment is crucial to your safety while driving, particularly at highway speeds. When your car is out of alignment, handling and maneuverability become challenging against the considerable pulling. Other problems that come with misalignment are faster, uneven wear on your tires, costly auto repairs on steering and suspension, and reduced fuel economy. Misaligned tires have increased rolling resistance, causing extra strain on the engine that results in higher fuel consumption.

Even if you don’t notice any of the red flags, it’s still best to have your alignment checked every other oil change to be on the safe side. Regular wheel alignment will set you back less in the long run compared to the extensive damage on steering and suspension.

Keep your wheels in check with regular alignments from Auto Quality Sales & Service. As the premier auto repair shop in Columbus, NE, their team of professional mechanics has provided outstanding maintenance and repair services, from tires to transmission, for more than 20 years. Call (402) 564-7360 for a free estimate on auto repairs or visit their website to browse their full list of services.