Swerve Left, Swerve Right, Swerve Left – You’ve Made it!

Driving in April feels like driving in Mario Kart but instead of banana peels on the ground, you get to dodge potholes! In Canada, it seems like every road has these hazards. They pop up on both the edges of the road and in the middle of the road, making them almost impossible to avoid.

Unfortunately, Mario Kart banana peels and real-life potholes have another commonality – they throw your vehicle out of alignment. In real-life, if you hit a pothole, it could misalign your wheels, causing your tires to wear irregularly and you to lose traction.

If this happens, our experts at Tirecraft can fix your wheel alignment and get you back on the road in no time!

What’s a Wheel Alignment?

A wheel alignment means to adjust the angle that your tires make contact with the road. Your vehicle has a suspension system, which is what makes your ride feel smooth. Think about back in the day when people road around in a horse and buggy; they could feel every bump on the road because buggies had no suspension. Your suspension system has springs and dampers that, by absorbing the energy from various road bumps and other kinetic events, provide a safe and comfortable drive. Your vehicle’s suspension system connects the wheels to your vehicle so if your wheels are out of alignment, it can make you feel like you’re driving over a road made of gumballs.

How Do I know If I Need a Wheel Alignment?

Determining if you need a wheel alignment isn’t as easy as beating Wario in the last few minutes of a race in Mario Kart. Your vehicle won’t even have a sensor light pop up on your dashboard to warn you that you need a wheel alignment. You’ll have to do some investigation of your own to determine if your wheels are out of alignment. Here are some common signs:

• Your tires are wearing unevenly – If your tire treads look like they’ve got a bad haircut because they are wearing more on the outer or inner edge of the tire than the middle of your tire, this could be a sign that you need a wheel alignment.
• Your vehicle is pulling to the right or left – When you move your steering wheel to the straight position and your car feels like it has a mind of its own because it veers to one side or the other, this could be a sign that you need a wheel alignment.
• Steering wheel vibrates – If your steering wheel is continuously vibrating and you feel like you’re driving over a bumpy cobblestone road, then this could be a sign that you need a wheel alignment.

If you notice any of these signs, bring your vehicle to your local Tirecraft, and we will check out your wheel alignment to make sure that your drive is as smooth as a ride on a still-water lake.

Even if you don’t notice any abnormalities with your tires or your vehicle’s ride, it’s possible that your wheels may need an alignment. We recommend bringing your vehicle in for us to check its alignment once every 2 – 3 years.

Our Tirecraft auto experts are always here to provide you with the best service. Tirecraft – Real people servicing real life.

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