HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GET A WHEEL ALIGNMENT?

Vehicle ownership is a big responsibility. If you want to protect your investment and ensure that your car is safe and reliable, regularly servicing it is vital.
 
Part of this servicing is ensuring that your wheels are appropriately aligned. Paying attention to this detail will keep you and your family safe and ensure that your ride continues to handle as smoothly as the day you first got it.

A wheel alignment is when a professional adjusts the angles of the vehicle’s wheel to each other and the car’s frame. Specialised equipment is used to perform this action per the specifications laid out by your vehicle’s manufacturer.

It is essential to use the guidelines set out by your car’s manufacturer as your first reference as to how often your wheels will need alignment. Typically, however, you should get this done a minimum of once a year.
 
Another good rule of thumb to follow is having your alignment check at least every 10,000 kilometres or at every other oil change, even if you can’t sense any issues.
 
This alignment must be conducted by a professional. Each vehicle has specific parameters designed by the manufacturer. This requires unique calibrations to be undertaken by someone with the appropriate training.

It is pretty easy to knock your wheel out of alignment. Everything from bumping a curb to hitting a pothole to being in a crash can misalign your wheels.
 
You should also get them checked after doing activities like off-road driving and 4x4ing. Even if nothing dramatic occurs while driving your car, misalignment will happen over time. The wheel angels change due to the normal wear and tear on the tyres.

If it’s time for a wheel alignment, you may feel your steering wheel tug, vibrate, or go off centre when driving straight. Another indication is if your vehicle feels unstable or drifts to one side.
 
Suppose your tyres are wearing unevenly or screech when you turn a corner. It may be wise to stop into a professional and ask for a wheel alignment.

Many people don’t realise that adequately aligned wheels can also help you save on fuel. Rolling resistance or friction is reduced when tyre pressure is at the correct level and aligned with the wheels. The more friction, the more complex the engine needs to overcome it, and the more fuel is used. 

Misaligned wheels can cause more significant, more expensive issues down the line. At a minimum, your car will not handle properly. Besides making the ride uncomfortable, it also puts you at a greater risk of being involved in an accident.
 
In addition, poorly aligned wheels can potentially shorten the life of your tyres by thousands of miles. We know how inconvenient and costly it can be to replace tyres.
 
Still, this is actually one of the best-case scenarios if your wheels are out of alignment.
 
On the worse end of the spectrum, misaligned wheels can damage your vehicle’s suspension and cause spring sagging. Spending a short amount of time to have a professional align your wheels is worth it if it means missing out on all that headache.
 
If you have any questions about your wheel alignment, reach us at Rubber Robs A1 Super Cheap Tyres. We’re a Gold Coast tyre shop, and we pride ourselves on offering good old fashioned customer service.
 
Contact us today for more information on (07) 5539 5326 or email us at sales@a1supercheaptyres.com.au.