A
wheel alignment has a number of benefits, and this maintenance is important for
both your vehicle operation and your safety. If this type of care and
inspection is not performed on a regular basis then you could find that your
vehicle warranty is no longer valid. You will make your tires last for a longer
period of time and lower the replacement costs that you incur over the lifetime
of your car or truck. Better gas mileage is another benefit, and this could
mean significant savings with many vehicles.
Wear
and tear can accelerate over time if certain components of the vehicle are not
properly aligned. In addition you may notice that the vehicle’s steering and
handling is sloppy and that it does not drive smoothly. Also, you could be at a
higher risk for driving hazards. All of these factors could cost you money or
cause injury or death.
1. Keep your Vehicle Warranty Coverage in Place
Having
a
wheel alignment performed on a regular schedule
will help you keep any warranties that you have. If you do not take care of
routine maintenance then the warranty provider may not honor the guarantee due
to your failure in this area. If you have new tires that are still under
warranty then they may not be covered if you fail to make sure that they are
aligned properly because your negligence contributed to the defect or problem.
2. Make your Tires last Longer and keep Costs Lower
When
you have a wheel alignment performed, the service center will ensure your tires are set correctly . Making adjustments for the correct angle,
position, and wear patterns of the wheels and treads to be appropriate for the
brand, type, and model of your car. These components will take longer to wear
out and this means that you will have to replace them less often. With a set of
four tires costing around $400 or more for a decent quality this can be a
considerable savings over the life of the vehicle.
3. Improve the Gas Mileage of your Vehicle
Less
resistance means better gas mileage , and a wheel alignment can help achieve
these results. If the wheels are not aligned properly then this makes the
vehicle work harder to cover the same distance and more fuel is required.
4. A Wheel Alignment Minimizes Wear and Tear
A
wheel alignment will minimize the wear and tear that you have on your tires,
and also on certain other vehicle components. The entire steering system also
wears down faster when the wheels are not in the proper position and placed at
the proper angle. Other systems and components are also impacted and could
become worn or damaged due to improper alignment of the wheels.
5. Better Handling and Safer Driving
A
wheel alignment plays a big role in the condition and safe operation of your
tires. When the wheels are properly positioned and lined up then the vehicle
will be safer to drive and it will handle better for the driver. When the car
pulls to one side this can affect the safety and create driving hazards that
are dangerous. Excessive wear and tear in some components of the vehicle could
mean a bigger risk of a flat or other damage while you are driving.
Understanding
the benefits that you get with this type of vehicle maintenance can help you
save money and prevent injuries or accidents.
Where did you take your car or truck the last time you had a wheel alignment performed, and what did it cost?