When your car rolls off the assembly line, the wheels have been aligned, tested, adjusted and eventually verified. But as you may have already experienced if you’ve car owned very long, wheels lose their alignment. This means that the tires on your vehicle are not pointing in the same direction as the steering wheel. When this happens, it not only shortens the life of your tires by thousands of miles, it compromises the safety of your vehicle by affecting crucial steering and suspension parts.
There are several reasons that wheels lose their alignment, most of which have to do with road conditions. Poorly maintained roads, hitting potholes, going too fast over speed bumps, running over curbs, or having an accident no matter how minor, can all affect your car’s wheel alignment. You may find yourself fighting the steering wheel as you try to drive your car straight down the road! Inexperienced drivers may not be aware of how damaging misalignment can be. It not only impacts the safety of your vehicle, but it also adds extreme wear to your tires, suspension system, and steering system.
When should you get a front end alignment? The typical answer to this question is to have your wheel alignment inspected about every 6,000 miles. Or, whenever you start to notice signs of premature tire and tread wear caused by wheel alignment issues.
- Enhances the handling and safety of your car.
- You can maximize your cars fuel efficiency,
- Prevents damage to other important components (such as shocks and brakes), and
- You increase the lifespan of your tires.
Remember: The cost for replacing a new set of tires is much greater than the cost of an alignment service!
Need to know more about wheel alignment issues? Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about when should you get a front end alignment and to make an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.
