You may not be paying attention to it often, but over time, your car can get misaligned due to various reasons, such as driving on damaged roads or hitting a curb.

Wheel misalignment is actually a suspension issue more than a wheel problem. Your car’s suspension system connects your tires to the body, and when the components in the suspension system become bent or damaged, it can cause your wheels to fall out of alignment. To correct the alignment of the wheels relative to each other and your car’s frame, your technician will align the angle of the suspension.

Why Is Wheel Alignment important?

Wheel alignment should be regularly checked and performed by a trained professional to avoid serious problems in the future. Here are the benefits of wheel alignment for your car:

Better Fuel Efficiency

Misaligned wheels negatively affect your car’s performance and make your car work harder. Your car will try to compensate for the performance issues caused by the misalignment and will use more gas than normal, thereby decreasing your gas mileage. With the cost of fuel continually on the rise, it’s not a good idea to waste money on unnecessary fuel consumption.

Smoother Ride

Making sure that your wheels are properly aligned can make your car more manageable, especially in challenging driving conditions. You won’t have a problem steering your car, and you’ll have a smoother and safer driving experience.

Improved Safety

Misaligned wheels can cause various safety issues that are otherwise easy to avoid. When your wheels are misaligned, your steering wheel may be hard to control, compromising your safety.

By having your wheels checked and aligned, you are taking the steps necessary to improve your and your passengers’ safety and also the safety of those who you will meet on the road.

Extend The Life Of Your Tires

Driving with misaligned wheels can prematurely wear out your tires and decrease your tire’s lifespan. It can cause uneven wear on your tire’s tread and drastically affect your car’s ability to stop, especially when driving in high-risk areas.

When you make sure that your tires are properly aligned regularly, you can reduce the wear and tear on your tires and prolong the life of your tires’ tread.

The ideal frequency of a wheel alignment is approximately every 6000 miles or sooner if you suspect your tires to be misaligned before the maintenance schedule.

Signs That Your Tires Need To Be Realigned

Aside from getting your wheels checked regularly as a part of a regular maintenance routine, it is also important to watch out for warning signs. Here are some signs to look out for to know if it is time for a wheel alignment service in Northbrook:

• The car is pulling sharply in one direction.
• The steering wheel vibrates while turning.
• Your steering wheel is crooked.
• There is uneven wear on your tire’s tread.

If you noticed any of the signs listed above, let HEART Certified Auto Repair Northbrook handle your wheel alignment. Request an appointment today.