Alignments help ensure your wheels are properly fitted in relation to one another and the vehicle they are on. They are also one of the most overlooked aspects of car maintenance that can have drastic effects on the ride, handling and safety of your vehicle.
For example, misalignment can lead to uneven tire wear, which can mean needing new tires sooner than you’d like. Plus, poorly aligned wheels can result in unsafe driving conditions and unexpected breakdowns—not to mention the strain they can put on your entire vehicle’s steering and suspension system over time.
To keep your car in good working order, don’t forget about alignments every few months as part of your routine maintenance schedule!
No need to worry, affordable alignments can be found near you. Just ask your local automotive expert at Beck’s Auto Center in Lafayette, Indiana.
What do your tires do?
Tires are the only part of your car that touch the ground. They provide your vehicle with traction and grip. If tires aren’t catching proper traction, this can lead to issues.
It’s important to know when your tires are due for an alignment because it can significantly improve their ability to grip the ground and stop quickly if needed.
It can make a life-changing difference especially when weather conditions are dire.
What happens when your car is not aligned properly?
When your car’s alignment is off, it will not be able to drive efficiently. Aligning your tires may not seem like an important step to your car performance, but it can have several effects.
Misaligned tires can lead to increased fuel consumption, uneven and unnecessary wear-and-tear on tires, and even the risk of an accident.
With the help of an alignment from a qualified mechanic at Beck’s Auto Center, your car will not only be able to run smoothly but also last a lot longer.
How to Check if Your Car Needs an Alignment
There are many telltale signs on how to check if your vehicle needs an alignment. As an owner of a car you can use the following tips to help spot the need of an alignment before unnecessary damage is done to your vehicle.
- Be sure to inspect your tires regularly. If they’re wearing in a V-shaped pattern, it’s probably time for new ones and a proper alignment.
- If one tire has significantly more wear than the others, it could be an indication that something is wrong with your car’s alignment.
- You can also check for a misaligned car by adjusting your steering wheel straight ahead of you when parked. When you get out of your vehicle and see that all four tires are pointing in different directions, this is a sign of an issue with your alignment.
- Another sign you may need an alignment is unusual steering behavior such as pulling to one side or the other.
Can I drive my vehicle with an alignment issue?
It is possible to drive a vehicle with an alignment issue, but it is not recommended.
As mentioned before, driving a car with an alignment issue can be unsafe and will likely cause the tires to wear out at a faster rate. This can also cause your steering wheel to shake when going over bumps in the road.
Additionally, driving on uneven tire pressure can be uncomfortable, as well as increase the risk of blowing a tire or stranding yourself on the side of the road.
Why take the risk?
Your Trusty Auto Repair Shop in Lafayette, IN
If you think that your car may need an alignment, be sure to take it to your local mechanic at Beck’s Auto Center so they can diagnose the problem and give you a quote. Don’t hesitate to call with any questions at (765) 563-5455!