Wheel alignment is important because it not only extends the life of your tires but also helps you control your automobile. For example, if your wheels aren’t aligned properly, your vehicle may pull to the right or left. The good news is that your wheels don’t need to be aligned that often; Checkpoint Motors lists the recommendations below. Let’s talk about wheel alignment, when you need to get it done, and how your wheels get knocked out of alignment.
When You Buy New Tires
Your wheels should be aligned and balanced when you purchase a new set of tires and have them installed on your car, truck, crossover, or SUV. Balancing and aligning the wheels makes certain that the weight is even across the axles and that the tires are making contact with the road properly. Any time you buy a new set of tires, plan on getting your wheels balanced and aligned.
Once a Year After That
Generally, you should plan to have your wheels aligned annually after that. Your wheels can become misaligned over time just due to the daily wear and tear you put on your automobile. If you have a daily commute that is in stop-and-go traffic and/or long, your wheels will likely become misaligned sooner than if you don’t do a lot of driving.
Every Two Years in Some Cases
If you don’t do a lot of driving, you may be able to go two years between wheel alignments. It really depends on how long it takes for the wheels to misalign naturally if you are careful and do not knock them out of alignment yourself. If you are faithful about getting your tires rotated every 6,000 miles and the wheels balanced at that time, your wheel alignment will last longer.
If You Knock Them Out of Alignment
You can tell that your wheels are out of alignment if, as mentioned above, your vehicle pulls to the side other signs that the wheels are not aligned properly include an off-center steering wheel and squealing tires when you turn corners. You can knock your wheels out of alignment yourself if you
- Drive over bumps too fast
- Hit curbs as you go around corners
- Hit curbs as you parallel park
- Fly over speed bumps
- Drive through potholes too fast
- Get into an automobile accident
Checkpoint Motors is the best auto service shop in Oregon City, OR, and we can check your wheel alignment if anything in the bulleted list has happened to you recently. If your wheels do need to be realigned, we will do that, as well.
