Why You Need Tire Alignment for Your Car
The Importance of Tire Alignment
We take pride in our vehicles. They help us get from point A to point B daily as safely and effectively as possible. Unfortunately, with many components and parts making your vehicle operate, it can experience a wide range of issues or future problems if not properly maintained year after year. While many drivers on the road today may think solely about the health of the engine, getting an oil change, or simply passing a state inspection, the component that helps the car navigate the roads are the tires.
Over time, your wheels can experience a wide range of conditions that can affect their effectiveness and how they operate overall. From hitting potholes to leaving your car exposed to snow and rain conditions, your tires will begin to show signs of wear and tear that will eventually lead to misalignment, if not maintained.
Here are a few reasons tire alignment is important:
Safety: Charged with carrying and evenly distributing the entire weight of the car across 4 wheels, your tires play a crucial role in the safety of the vehicle. If one or multiple tires become worn, that weight transfer can become imbalanced, leading to a loss of stability, poor handling, vehicle drifting, steering wheel vibrations, and other issues. Without 100% control, the safety of the driver and the passengers can be compromised regardless of the distance being traveled.
Tire Lifespan: With constant pressure being applied to the tires, any signs of uneven wear on the tire treads can cause misalignment. On average, tires are rated for 60,000 miles, however, due to the unevenness of the wear, certain tires on your vehicle may be required to carry more of the weight leading to a significant loss in its lifespan and early tire replacement.
Fuel Efficiency: While it may not seem like there is a connection between your tires and your vehicle’s fuel efficiency, just remember that all components in your car operate together in some capacity. Wheels are designed to maintain optimal contact with the road using downward force and friction of the tires to create the best traction and control conditions for the driver. If the tires become misaligned or unevenly worn, the lack of traction forces stress upon the engine to move the car forward, and in turn causes more fuel to be consumed in the process.
Contact Our Auto Shop to Schedule a Tire Alignment Service!
As part of a routine service or oil change, your vehicle should have its tires inspected for any irregular tread, wear, or small punctures to best identify and fix any problems that may lead to tire misalignment. One of the top ways you can minimize the uneven wear is through a tire rotation once every 5,000-8,000 miles. Just as it sounds, the rotation of the tires around your vehicle ensures they are all even and can equally suspend the car’s weight properly.
At AutoTek, our team of professional mechanics and technicians understand the importance tires can play in the health and effectiveness of our clients’ vehicles. With 22+ years of experience, our auto repair center takes pride in providing the preventative maintenance, annual service, and tire alignments you need to stay safe on the open road. If your tires are balding or beyond repair, we also work to supply our customers with some of the top brand-name tires.
Contact our shop in Raleigh, NC today to learn more about the tire alignment process or schedule a service if you suspect your tires may be misaligned!
