When it comes to your vehicle, the tires are one of the most important parts that you need to pay attention to. That’s because they serve multiple functions in terms of your safety and performance — you’re probably already aware that worn-out tires don’t grip the road very well, but it’s also important to know that they can actually cost you money in the long run due to their role in wheel alignment maintenance. Here are four ways wheel alignment can save you money in your car ownership experience!
Tire rotation is important, especially on front-wheel-drive cars, in which tight turns and traction issues can cause tires to wear differently. Rotating your tires regularly also helps them last longer and save you from more frequent tire replacement down the line (since you’re using each tire more evenly) and makes sure that one isn’t wearing out sooner than another. Besides being less costly to replace a single tire than all four, rotating your tires can also keep you safer — even if you don’t drive a front-wheel-drive car.
Improperly aligned wheels may cause your car to pull in one direction. The difference in distance is often minor, but if it causes you to run through a full set of brakes every time you come to a stop, that can really add up over time! This can also throw off your vehicle’s braking distance — which could be dangerous in an emergency.
When your car’s wheels are misaligned, it can have adverse effects on your gas mileage. Over time, those costs add up to a decent chunk of change. So make sure you take care of your wheels and that they’re pointed in the right direction. By getting regular wheel alignment checks, you can help ensure your wheels don’t get out of whack — all while keeping more cash in your pocketbook.
If your vehicle is properly aligned, it will be better equipped to handle bumps in the road. As a result, you’ll likely experience fewer scratches and dents as well as reduced wear on your tires. If you don’t see a lot of potholes or drive off-road often, you might not have to have your wheels realigned that often — though certainly once or twice a year should suffice. A technician at Allegiance Automotive can perform an alignment check in minutes with just one simple device called a dial indicator.