Why Do I Need a Wheel Alignment?

There are several vehicle services that you can do that will help keep your vehicle on the road longer. Wheel alignments are one easy preventative maintenance task that you can do for your vehicle. Getting this done as per your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations can greatly increase the life of your tires. Wheel alignments are done to ensure that the angle of your wheels is properly aligned so that there is less friction on your tires. This will increase the life of your tires, give you a smoother ride, and increase your gas mileage.

You can tell if your vehicle needs a wheel alignment if it feels like the vehicle is pulling to one side. You can also test this when driving on a straight road and briefly letting go of the wheel while it is in the straight position. If the car shifts to one side, then you may need a wheel alignment. If you notice that your tires are wearing in an abnormal pattern, such as on the shoulder of the tire, then you may need a wheel alignment. If you notice that your steering wheel is vibrating, then this may also be a sign of misaligned wheels.

When you bring your vehicle in to your local Tirecraft for a wheel alignment, the technician will check your tire pressure to ensure that it is optimal and then they will put your vehicle on a wheel alignment machine. This machine will put your vehicle’s suspension into the correct position to ensure that your vehicle’s wheels will be aligned with the road.

Most vehicle manufacturers recommend having a wheel alignment once every 10,000km (once every second oil change) or once every two years. To ensure that you are following your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations, you can check your owner’s manual.

Next time you bring your vehicle in for an oil change, you can ask your service advisor if you are due for a wheel alignment. We will be happy to give our recommendations so that you can feel ensured that your vehicle and its components will last. At Tirecraft, we’re real people, servicing real life.