Put simply, vehicles require a lot of maintenance to keep them in top condition. This includes oil changes, tire rotations, wheel balancing, and so more. One often overlooked maintenance procedure is the wheel alignment.
The Truth About Wheel Alignment – What Every Driver Should Know
What is Wheel Alignment?
This refers to the adjustment of a vehicle’s suspension—the system that connects a vehicle to its wheels. Proper alignment ensures that your car handles correctly, extends the life of your tires, and improves fuel efficiency.
When discussing Wheel alignment and balancing it’s important to debunk 2 common myths, namely:
Myth 1: Wheel Alignment Only Needs Attention After an Accident or Hitting a Pothole
This widespread misconception that wheel alignment is that it's only necessary after an accident or hitting a pothole. But the truth is, regular wheel alignment inspections are essential for ensuring your vehicle’s performance and safety. It's worth noting that regular driving even on smooth roads can gradually misalign your wheels.
Myth 2: Wheel Alignment and Wheel Balancing Are the Same Thing
Wheel alignment involves changing the angle of the wheels, whereas wheel balancing ensures that the wheel and tire have a balanced weight distribution. So, how does one get to tell the difference between these two distinct processes?
" If you experience vibrations while driving, it's likely a balancing issue. However, if your vehicle pulls to one side or your steering wheel isn't straight, it may be an alignment problem. "
Wheel Alignment – How We Do It!
- Phase 1: Initial Inspection
To kick things off, a thorough inspection of the vehicle’s suspension and steering components is necessary. This is crucial to identify any worn or damaged parts such as: Ball joints, Bushings, Control arms and Tie rods.
- Phase 2: Measuring Alignment Angles
Once the initial assessment is complete, our skilled technicians using advanced technology measure the angles of each wheel and compares them to the manufacturer’s specifications. The measurements taken include camber, toe, and caster angles.
- Phase 3: Adjusting the Angles
With your approval, our technicians proceed to make precise adjustments to the camber, caster, and toe angles to bring them within the recommended range based on the measurements recorded.
- Phase 4: Final Verification
Upon completion of the alignment service, we conduct a final verification to confirm that all adjustments have been accurately implemented.
- Phase 5: Test Drive
After completing the alignment adjustments, and final verification, a test drive is conducted to ensure that the alignment is accurate.
Signs Your Vehicle Needs an Alignment?
One of the main indicators that a driver complains about when they need an alignment is that their steering wheel seems off centre when driving straight. Others include uneven tire wear, vehicle drifting to one side, unusual vibrations on the steering wheel and squealing tires.
Conclusion
In summary, understanding the wheel alignment process helps you appreciate its importance in maintaining your vehicle’s performance, safety, and longevity. To ensure that your vehicle is correctly aligned, schedule a wheel alignment check with us at Maxxis Tyre Centers today. Our expert technicians use cutting-edge equipment to deliver precise wheel alignment services tailored to your vehicle’s needs. Kindly prioritize this service to keep your car performing at its best.