How Often Should I Get a Wheel Alignment Done?

The term “wheel alignment” refers to the process of checking the angles of the wheels in their position relative to each other and the car’s body or frame, then making whatever adjustments are necessary to make sure everything is in proper position. During this process, the vehicle gets lifted onto an alignment rack, and there are special sensors that get placed on every wheel to make it easier to ensure the proper angles. Based on the measurements that get taken with the help of the sensors, the technician performing the alignment is then able to correct the wheel angles to the proper specifications.

Before getting wheel alignment service in Lubbock, TX, it is important to let the technician test drive the vehicle to get a feel for any problems you’re experiencing. The tire pressure should also be adjusted, and you should check the ride height and the various suspension and steering components. If any of those components are bad, they should be replaced before you perform wheel alignment, as a failure to make the replacement could result in your just needing to realign the wheels once again.

Here are a few issues related to wheel alignment that you should be aware of as a vehicle owner:

• Symptoms of poor alignment: There are a few ways you can tell if your wheels are out of alignment. You might notice the steering wheel is off center when you’re driving straight, or that the vehicle pulls to one side when you’re driving on what seems to be a straight, level road. You might also notice uneven tire wear or tires that screech when you’re turning. In some cases, the vehicle might feel unstable or wander from side to side.
• Frequency of wheel alignment: There are no specific requirements for the frequency with which you should have your wheels aligned. Most mechanics will do this every two or three years, but usually the easiest thing to do is just align the wheels every time you put on new tires, which will probably be about that often anyway. If your vehicle has wider tires or is a sporty type of car, you’ll probably need to have wheel alignment performed a little more frequently. In addition, if you’ve recently hit a large bump, you might at least want to have your alignment checked, if not adjusted. Otherwise, you shouldn’t need to get wheel alignment performed all that often.
• Importance of wheel alignment: Your wheel angles will change over time, just due to normal wear and tear of the parts in your vehicle suspension, but also due to running over potholes or being involved in accidents. A failure to adjust your wheel alignment could make for unsafe driving, and could result in other parts of your vehicle wearing out much faster than they otherwise would.

For more information about the importance of wheel alignment and when you should consider having this service performed, or to schedule professional wheel alignment service in Lubbock, TX, reach out to M & M Tire & Service Center today.

Categorised in: Alignment

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