If you are a car owner, you must know that wheel alignment is one of the most important tasks for the smooth functioning of your car. However, it might be tricky for someone who has just brought a new car or is getting into the rhythm of driving regularly. With time, the tyres of your car may wear off and might need tyre service. Want to know how frequently you should get the wheels of your car aligned? Read on to get all information on wheel alignment.
A car owner needs to be able to identify the signs of their car wheels being misaligned. By the rule of thumb, auto experts recommend getting your wheels aligned every 2 to 3 years. However, for the optimal safety of your car, yourself and others around you, it is suggested to opt for a wheel alignment every time you go to change the oil of the vehicle.
Signs of an incorrect wheel alignment
1. Unwarranted vibration
2. The tendency of the car to wander towards either the left or the right
3. When the car pulls to one side when driving at highway speeds
4. The tyres wear out unevenly
5. A dysfunctional steering system
What can cause your wheels to get misaligned?
1. If you are a road-trip enthusiast and a traveller
2. If your car hits a pothole
3. If your car gets into an accident
4. Normal wear and tear due to climatic and environmental influence
5. Bumping into a concrete parking stall
When should you be getting your wheels aligned?
1. After noticing an uneven or abnormal tyre wear
2. After experiencing issues like your vehicle pulling off towards the left or the right and the steering not returning easily after taking a turn
3. After experiencing issues post replacement of steering and suspension components
4. Your vehicle hitting an edged stone or another vehicle
5. After completing a total driving distance of 50,000 km
What if you ignore the wheel alignment service when it is due?
1. You will not have the proper grip because of the poor contact surface between the tyres and the road
2. You are at the risk of putting yourself and your co-passengers in danger due to a faulty alignment
3. The drive will be very uncomfortable for you and your co-passengers
4. There will be an early requirement for new tyres because of abnormal wear due to faulty alignment
How long does it take to get a wheel alignment service?
A tyre service or a wheel alignment generally takes around 30 minutes to one hour, including the front and the rear wheel alignment, which is a straightforward operation for a professional. All the services are tech-driven, which means that an assessment of the rotation, alignment and orientation of your car wheels is done through a computer. The specifications are also assessed based on the model of the car and its year of purchase. If any wheel experiences a faulty alignment, it is adjusted accordingly and all the wheels are matched up appropriately. Both before and after vehicle inspection and adjustment, the vehicle is driven to check for any possible signs of faulty wheel alignment.
Benefits of getting your car’s wheel aligned:
1. Your vehicle will be stable and will handle the road disruptions better
2. You will increase the life of your tyres
3. Wheel alignment increases the life of your suspension and steering components
4. You can maximise the fuel efficiency of your car, rather than suffering a decrease of 7% in your car’s fuel efficiency
5. You are in a much safer position when the wheels of your car are properly aligned. If you are driving in wet conditions, your car must be able to stop safely. The treads on your tyres have a direct impact on the stopping distance of your car.
For most of the cars in the market, there are no specific requirements concerning the time for the wheel alignment. A wheel alignment becomes a necessity after every two or three years, and a professional mechanic will suggest an alignment during vehicle inspection in case they find it faulty. Tyre service companies often recommend it when new tires are installed in your car. However, this task should better be done by a professional and not a layman to avoid causing any more damage to your vehicle. If your owner’s manual does not mention how frequently you should get the wheels aligned or go for transmission repair, we recommend bringing your vehicle to a service centre shop for wheel alignment at least once every year. This is because your vehicle’s tyre alignment will be slightly off after 1-2 years of driving.
What’s also important to note is that there are certain circumstances when your vehicle requires alignment on a more frequent basis like performance-oriented cars and vehicles with wider tyres.
It is important to visit a reputed tyre service centre like Fast Auto Care in Somerville for the wheel alignment of your car. The skilled and experienced car technicians at Fast Auto Care will be able to provide you with transmission repairs and wheel alignment properly and affordably. Find the best service centre near you and take your car for regular servicing, and wheel alignment to ensure optimal maintenance and use of your car.
Fast Auto Care, Victoria’s leading tyre service can help in wheel alignment, balancing, patching and repairs and replacing new old tyres with a premium new set of tyres. As even the greatest tyres can wear out with time and repeated use, we recommend a dependable tyre improvement service with a modern workshop and the latest equipment for complete satisfaction. We have a team of certified technicians that will help you with balancing, patching, and repairs and replacing your worn tyres with a new set of premium tyres at the most affordable cost.
Lastly, a roadworthy certificate is a must in Victoria while buying or selling a car. Fast Care Auto’s specialists are licenced and qualified to conduct vehicle inspections ensuring your vehicle meets the roadworthy regulations.
Fast Care Auto’s mechanics are experts in transmission repair across a wide range of vehicles. Efficient transmission repairs offer clients guaranteed results every time.
