How to Tell if You Need a Wheel Alignment
Signs to Know
Is It Time for a Wheel Alignment?
If your European car is pulling to one side of the road, your steering wheel is vibrating, or you notice that your tires are wearing unevenly, it might be time for a wheel alignment. But what exactly is wheel alignment, and what causes it to go out of whack in the first place? Keep reading to find out.
What is Wheel Alignment?
Wheel alignment is the process of making sure your car's wheels are pointing in the right direction. This might seem like a no-brainer—of course, you want your wheels to be pointing straight ahead! But over time, driving on uneven roads and hitting potholes can cause your wheels to become misaligned. When this happens, it can lead to all sorts of problems, like premature tire wear, decreased fuel efficiency, and even difficulty steering. In short, it's a problem that you'll want to nip in the bud as soon as possible.
There are three main types of wheel alignments: toe alignment, camber alignment, and caster alignment. Toe alignment is when the front and back of your tires are pointing inward or outward (imagine how a set of duck feet would look). This can happen if you hit a big pothole or curb too hard. Camber alignment is when the top or bottom of your tires are closer to or farther from the center of your car than they should be. Caster alignment has to do with the angle at which your tires are sitting in relation to each other (think of how a set of roller skates looks when they're properly aligned). All three of these things need to be taken into account when performing a wheel alignment.
There are a few different things that can cause your wheel alignment to go out of whack. The most common culprits are hitting potholes or curbs too hard, driving on uneven roads, and going over speed bumps too fast. If you live in an area with lots of potholes or rough roads, it's especially important to get your wheels aligned on a regular basis (at least once a year). Similarly, if you do a lot of off-roading in your car, you might need more frequent alignments as well.
Get Your Wheels Aligned With Us
If you notice that your car is pulling to one side of the road or your tires are wearing down unevenly, it's probably time for a wheel alignment. Wheel alignment is the process of making sure all four of your car's wheels are pointing in the same direction. This might seem like common sense, but over time, driving on uneven roads and hitting potholes can cause your wheels to become misaligned. When this happens, it can lead to all sorts of problems—like premature tire wear or decreased fuel efficiency—so it's important to nip it in the bud as soon as possible. If you think your European car might need an alignment, bring it to Joe Davis Autosport in Perkasie, PA.