The Importance of Tire Alignments

When it comes to driving cars, there are many different things that affect how the vehicle performs. From the vehicle’s engine down to the tires and everything in between, the vehicle relies on different parts in order to drive. Over time, regular usage can lead to wear on these parts, which can cause them to lose effectiveness or stop working altogether. One of the more important things you need to do for your vehicle is visit a tire shop. When it comes to tires, there are actually a few different things that the average car owner has to look out for. Not only does one have to worry about leaks and blowouts, but also the alignment.

The tire alignment refers to the angling of the wheels. The importance of your tire alignment is that it improves your vehicle’s handling, while also aiding in preserving different parts of the drivetrain. There are quite a few different things that could knock your vehicle’s tire alignment out of balance, which is why you must always keep a watchful eye out. There are quite a few different things that could indicate your vehicle’s wheel alignment needs to be adjusted. Here we will go over a few, and discuss what could go wrong if you continuously drive with unaligned wheels.

What is a Wheel Alignment?

A wheel alignment is a process where the angling of a vehicle’s wheels is readjusted back to the original factory settings. Even though the name includes “wheel,” alignments have actually more to do with the car’s suspension system. Each car is weighted differently, requiring each vehicle to have different particular alignment settings. Over time, each wheel can gradually shift out of place, leaving them slightly angled.

This can be rather dangerous over time, as not only does driving on unaligned tires wear them down unevenly, but it can also cause damage to other places in the vehicle, such as the suspension and drivetrain. There are quite a few different situations that can lead the vehicle’s wheels to come unaligned, and it can be rather difficult to know exactly when it happens, so it is always ideal to keep an eye out for some common warning signs. Picking up on them early can help you avoid any unnecessary repairs that could come down the line, saving you money in the long run.

Different Warning Signs

Uneven Wear on Your Tires
One of the major warning signs that your vehicle may be out of alignment is your tires themselves. If you find the tread on the tires themselves to be uneven, it may indicate that your vehicle is out of alignment. When a car comes from the factory, its wheels and tires are properly aligned. Proper alignment allows the tires to make even and equal contact with the road underneath. If one or more of the tires are out of alignment, this leads to the tread on the tires wearing unevenly.

Car Pulls to One Side While Driving

Another sign that your vehicle’s wheels may be out of alignment is if your car starts to pull to one side while driving. When a wheel is out of alignment, it is either too far left or right. This can actually cause the car itself to start pulling to the side. This can be rather dangerous, as a car that is pulling to either side can cause an accident if the driver isn’t completely engaged with keeping the vehicle straight. One lapse with unaligned wheels can send your car right off the road. A good way to test for this is to find a section of the road with a nice straight-away, and carefully remove your hands from the wheel while driving (making sure to keep them very close and ready to grab it). If your car starts pulling to either side with your hands removed, it is a good idea to schedule a check-up.

Steering Wheel Vibration

A great indicator of your wheels being out of alignment is if you feel a vibration in the steering wheel. You can feel this in particular when driving at higher speeds; thus, the highway is a great place to check. In terms of alignment, the vibration is caused by the tires pulling in opposite directions. With both tires pulling in different directions, the steering column begins bouncing around, which you are able to feel in the steering wheel itself. This could also be a sign of a tire that is imbalanced, so a trip to the tire shop when you feel any kind of vibration in the steering wheel is always a great idea.

Steering Wheel Angle

One last sign to look out for when trying to determine if your wheels are unaligned is by paying attention to the angle of your steering wheel. You may not notice it normally while driving unless you are looking out for it, but you may constantly be correcting the wheel to compensate for the tires being unaligned. This will cause you to drive with the steering wheel at an angle. It is easiest to determine this by finding a nice straightaway for you to drive on. When you are driving perfectly straight, take a look at your steering wheel. If it happens to be at an angle while the car is moving perfectly straight, this may mean that you require a tire alignment.

Possible Issues That Can Arise From Ignoring Unaligned Tires

Constantly driving on unaligned wheels can cause many different issues if left long enough. The more immediate issues are the various impacts on the vehicle’s handling capabilities. The vehicle’s ability to turn is drastically decreased, as it is constantly pulling in one direction, especially if you are trying to turn in the opposite direction of the vehicle’s pull. This pulling will also affect the vehicle’s ability to drive in a straight line, which can make for a frustrating drive, and a dangerous one if not careful. You can end up off the road if you are not paying attention.

On top of the handling issues, unaligned wheels can affect the tires themselves. Driving on tires that are unaligned leads to the tread on the tires wearing out unevenly. This can be very problematic, as this will dramatically decrease the lifespan of the tires, requiring more frequent replacements. This will increase your cost of ownership over time and should be avoided. Not only will you have to replace them more frequently, but they will become considerably weaker on the side that is being worn unevenly, which can lead to your tire blowing out unexpectedly.

If you happen to find yourself noticing some of the signs that your vehicle requires a tire alignment, there is no place better to bring your vehicle for one in the Cincinnati area than McCluskey Chevrolet. Our expansive service department is professionally staffed and can aid you in any and all tire-related issues and a number of different ones as well. We use the best parts available, and have all of the equipment necessary to tackle any sort of job, no matter how big or small.