Three Questions About Wheel Alignments

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Does your car seem to have a mind of its own and moving to one side of the road? This is a problem that should be taken seriously, because it can potentially lead to an accident. A car that is drifting to one side is an indication that there is an issue with the alignment of the wheels. If both wheels are not pointed in the exact same direction, it can cause the car to pull to the side. Here are some questions you may have about wheel alignments.

What Causes Wheels To Become Misaligned?

Wheels can become misaligned for a couple of reasons. An often overlooked one is that the previous mechanic that put the tires on your car did not perform a wheel alignment. Beyond that, there can be wear issues that cause problems, such as suspension issues that end up affecting the car in a way that trickles down to the wheels. You may also unintentionally cause the misalignment by hitting a pothole at high speeds, running over a curb, hitting something with one of the tires.

Why Is A Wheel Alignment Necessary?

One reason to have your wheels aligned is because it will cause a lot of wear on your tires. The car will drift to one side, which wears the tires as you try to correct the direction and put unnecessary pressure on them to stay centered. This can lead to early tire replacement, which will cost you money over time. Of course, there are the safety issues as well, since your car naturally wants to drift and you can hit another car if you are not careful. Having aligned wheels also leads to having better gas mileage since the car is not working as hard when you drive.

How Are Wheels Aligned?

You can align your wheels by taking your vehicle to a local auto shop. The vehicle will be put up on a hoist so that the wheels can move freely, and a special alignment tool will be put on each wheel. These sensors connect to a computer and let the mechanic know if the wheels are in alignment, and if not, how they should be adjusted. The mechanic looks at the toe, which is if the wheel is aligned so it is sticking up perfectly straight. The caster is also analyzed to ensure that the tires are turned at the same angle at all times.

Speak to your mechanic if you have more questions about car alignment services.

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