The Importance of Having a Wheel Alignment

July 8, 2021

Are you aware of the importance of a regular wheel alignment as part of your tyre’s maintenance? Many road users only show concern towards their tyres when wear and tear is noticeable or a puncture is detected, however, non-aligned wheels are just as bad for your car.

What is Wheel Alignment?

A wheel alignment is a series of very precise corrections that are designed to give your vehicle the best possible performance and safety.

It is a series of measurements and adjustments made to your car to ensure all the wheels are parallel to each other (to the degree of the manufacturer’s specifications) and are perpendicular to the ground. The measurements are as specific as possible and will vary depending on the vehicle’s year, make and model. The correct wheel alignment settings are very precise and sensitive.

To understand how well aligned your wheels are, a wheel alignment test and report can be provided at Brighton Volkswagen within 5 minutes.

How does a Wheel get ‘Out of Alignment’?

A car can go out of alignment in a variety of ways but the most common is hitting something with a tyre, at force. This is usually running over a pothole, an obstacle in the road, or the kerb. This kind of sudden jolt can put your wheel out of alignment immediately.

If you have an incident like this, you should definitely have your vehicle checked as soon as possible.

Wheels will also go out of alignment as a result of regular wear and tear in tyres and suspension. With wear and tear, the diameter of your tyre can have an effect on an alignment. As tyres wear, through normal use, their measurements change slightly and therefore so does the alignment. Worn parts also shift over time and this can have an impact on wheel alignment too. Often having a simple alignment check done can show up issues before they turn into major problems.

Identifying Balance and Alignment Problems

Just like engine problems or leaks from your radiator, uneven wheels will also give you a sign. A common sign of needing a wheel alignment is when your car starts to veer to one side of the road. Other signs to look out for include:

• Steering wheel logo is off-centre
• Vibrations or shaking in steering
• Loose steering
• Uneven tyre wear
• Noises described as squeaking, creaking, knocking, or rubbing.

If you notice any of these problems with your vehicle, call your local wheel alignment specialist or Brighton Volkswagen right away. They’ll diagnose the issue and align your tyres.

Benefits of a Wheel Alignment

Having your wheels aligned not only offers a much smoother drive, it ensures you are driving within road safety standards. Frequent wheel alignments also:

• Improves Fuel Efficiency – When your vehicle’s wheels are misaligned, the driving pressure pushed onto the tyres is not equally balanced. This causes the vehicle to experience uneven friction and resistance from the ground. This will result in the vehicle forcing itself to work much harder to operate properly, leading to excessive fuel consumption. Having even wheels reduces the stress on the engine. Healthy fuel efficiency relies on proper alignment. If a misalignment is present, fuel efficiency is reduced by up to 10%. Based on a fuel price of $1.47 per litre, a loss of around 15 cents per litre can be made just from misaligned wheels.
• Smoother Ride – Rear-wheel-drive cars are more likely to experience more tread wear compared to front-wheel-drive cars. Front-wheel-drive cars are the opposite. By rotating your tyres, you can maintain an even amount of tread wear. Even tread on each tyre ensures a smooth and comfortable ride.
• Increases the life of your tyres – uneven tyres wear out quicker and can be costly. A wheel alignment decreases the likelihood of uneven wear and keeps your tyre tread in good condition. Unnecessary wear and tear on your tyres can reduce the life of your tyres up to 15%, thereby leading to additional unwanted costs of replacing tyres too early.
• Fewer mechanical repairs – helps to prevent any unnecessary damage to your car. The more frequently you align your wheels, the less you’ll spend on mechanical repairs.
• Safety – Wheel alignment is a vital element of your vehicle’s safety. Misaligned wheels can significantly increase the risk of a vehicle accident as braking distances and handling are compromised. Driving a vehicle with misaligned wheels is an unnecessary risk.

How often should Wheels be checked for Alignment?

It is important to check your alignment regularly. General car maintenance guides suggest that you check your wheel alignment every 12 months or 15,000 kms, comes first. This is to ensure that you never get too far out of alignment before it’s adjusted.

It is also advised that an alignment is performed when:

• New tyres are being installed. This is a convenient time to have your wheel alignment checked as it can be completed all at the same time.
• Suspension components have been installed. You do not want to have to fork out money to replace these components more often than usual. This could be avoided with aligned wheels.
• You have encountered a road hazard. A typical hazard that may impair alignment is striking an obstacle with your tyre. These obstacles include potholes, kerbs and speed bumps.
• The tyre is aging. Alignment may be a necessary measure due to general wear and tear that is encountered each time your vehicle is driven. Aging tyres lose their elasticity and crack over time, resulting in a misalignment that will gradually deteriorate.