It may not feel like a big deal at first to drive with misaligned wheels, but over time you could be leading to significant wear, safety issues, and unnecessary costs. A lot of drivers have no idea about wheel alignment until they feel their car pulling to one side or start seeing uneven tire wear. Knowing how bad alignment could affect their vehicle could help them avoid some of these issues, or at least take them into consideration sooner, and they would now be able to keep their vehicle in better shape longer.
What is Wheel Alignment?
Wheel alignment is the adjustment of a suspension system to ensure that the wheels are positioned correctly to the road and to each other. Proper alignment will result in smooth handling, longer tire life, and improved fuel efficiency. On the other hand, improper alignment will prevent the wheels from making uniform contact with the road, creating an endless list of problems with time.
Common Bad Wheel Alignment Symptoms
Identifying the initial warning signs of misalignment can spare a driver from excessive repairs or driving under unsafe conditions. Some common signs of bad wheel alignment are:
- The vehicle pulls to one side when going straight down the road, even with the steering wheel straight.
- Tires show uneven tread wear that typically depicts bald spots either inside or outside of the edge of the tires.
- The steering wheel is crooked when driving straight.
- Veering too far to the right or left results in sloppy steering, such as his/her having to constantly turn the steering wheel to stay in the lanes.
- Feeling oscillations and vibrations in the steering wheel, especially at higher speeds.
- The tires squeal or make noise when turning.
If these red flags are missed, more damage can occur, not just to the tires, but also to suspension components, steering components, and the safety of vehicle position.
Consequences of Driving with Misaligned Wheels
When driving with wheels out of alignment it does not just make your car more difficult to drive, it can damage important parts of your car, put your safety at risk, and potentially cost you a lot more money later. Here are some of the major impacts.
1. Uneven and Faster Tire Wear
Tires are designed to have symmetrical road contact. Misalignment changes the angle of contact and gives more surface area the weight responsibility, making some parts of the tire have more surface area than others. This leads to destroying tires sooner than you would expect, requiring more replacement changes. No one wants to turn around and have to replace tires every few years, but if you turn around and have to do it every year due to front or back end misalignment, that’s a painful recurring cost.
2. Poor Vehicle Handling
When wheels are out of alignment, the car may be more likely to wander or pull to one side, which could make it more difficult for the driver to stay in their lane. The driver will have decreased control, which can be extremely dangerous in an emergency, in the rain, or when one needs to steer quickly and decisively in case of an accident.
3. Increased Fuel Consumption
What many drivers are unaware of is that wheel alignment affects fuel economy. When wheelalignment is out, the vehicle must exert more energy to move forward due to the added rolling resistance, and that leads to increased fuel consumption over time. With fuel prices increasing, this is money thrown away for every mile travelled with poor alignment!
4. Extra Strain on Suspension and Steering
The suspension is designed to operate correctly when the wheel angles are within specified limits. If the wheel angles are incorrectly aligned, the suspension joints, shocks, struts, and steering parts will wear prematurely due to the excessive forces applied and frequently make noise. Infrequent breakdowns and expensive suspension repairs can lead to upset owners of newer cars if these are not maintained.
5. Reduced Driving Comfort
When your vehicle is in proper alignment, you can drive comfortably and smoothly down the road. When your wheels are misaligned, you will experience vibrations, pulling, and stiffness, which makes driving more physically laborious. It is possible to live with these misalignments for an extended period of time before realizing how much comfort you have sacrificed, especially after a long journey.
6. Compromised Safety
Increasing safety risk may be the most serious consequence of poor alignment. Poor handling, uneven braking, extended stopping distance, and vehicle response inconsistency during emergency situations all result in an increased likelihood of accidents.
Why Drivers Ignore Alignment Issues
Most motorists do not give wheel alignment its due consideration. Unlike a flat tire or dead battery, bad alignment does not always bring about an abrupt breakdown, so it often gets overlooked until it presents a symptom. It is easy to let the symptoms arise gradually and to write them off as trivial issues. But the longer bad alignment is neglected, the more costly and dangerous it can become!
How Often Should You Check Alignment?
Some authorities state that alignments should be checked every 6,000 to 10,000 miles, or at least annually. You should have alignment checked sooner if you experience:
- Hitting potholes or curbs.
- New, uneven tire wear.
- Abrupt changes in steering or handling of the vehicle.
- Following a major service to the steering or suspension systems.
- Taking your car in for alignment proactively can be less costly with extended tire life and damage to a mechanical system.
The Cost of Neglect vs. The Cost of Prevention
Not only can alignment be costly from a replacement standpoint, but it can also shorten the life of your suspension, wear out your steering joints, and be detrimental to your braking ability, which adds up to thousands of dollars in repairs. An alignment check and adjustment is a minimal service cost in contrast. Prevention pays off every time.
Getting Professional Car Repair for Alignment
As soon as you notice any symptoms of bad wheel alignment on your vehicle, you want to contact a professional service as soon as you can. An experienced technician can perform an accurate alignment with valuable tools that can restore your vehicle’s handling, safety, and efficiency. With busy cities and growing neighborhoods, there will always be reliable repair shops to get these issues sorted fast. For drivers in Missouri, trusted car repair car repair in St. PetersSt. Peters are a convenient option to avoid spending repeatedly on tires and suspension.
Final Thoughts
Driving with misaligned wheels may feel like it can wait, but the resulting consequences will make it one of the most expensive mistakes in your life as a vehicle owner. It causes uneven tire wear and dangerous handling, as well as problems with fuel economy, strain on suspensions, and major safety concerns. If you are able to recognize some of the signs of misalignment upfront, getting the right professional alignment is easy. Symptoms like a vehicle that is pulling, steering that vibrates, or tires that are unevenly wearing—if there is a problem, it will save you money and prevent injury.
Your car is at its best when every component is in balance and coordinated motion. Make a habit of prioritizing your wheel alignment. If you do, it will deliver a smoother, safer, and more efficient ride every time you go for a drive.