Your mechanic recommended that an alignment service be performed on your vehicle and it’s a good idea to do so about every six months, but why?
You don’t have to go off-roading to cause alignment issues. The wheels on your car or truck will get out of alignment over time. Especially with speed bumps and potholes everywhere. Over time, those misaligned tire and wheel assemblies will impact your gas mileage (MPG), cause tires to wear out faster, and reduce drivability. That’s why it’s important to get your vehicle properly aligned at least once or twice a year as part of your basic auto maintenance.
According to Continental tires "As your suspension parts wear, or any time your suspension takes a hit, whether by hitting a pot hole, a curb, or anything in a minor accident, it can cause the alignment to get knocked out of place. It’s important that wheels and tires are aligned. If they aren’t, you could be damaging your tires and affecting the vehicle’s handling characteristics."
If the suspension is out of alignment, there is uneven pressure on the tires that can cause your car to work harder on the tires than it needs to. This happens because there is more resistance between the tire and the road surface.
That resistance can cause the tires to wear unevenly with the tires ultimately becoming worn on one side. It’s dangerous to drive on uneven tires, and it could force you to purchase tires sooner than you would have needed to with a proper alignment.
When tires begin to wear unevenly, you may feel a vibration in the steering wheel. The tires may also produce more road noise when the tread is uneven.
Your car works harder when the tires wear unevenly. The harder the car works, the more fuel it burns. So when the tires are out of alignment and the tires begin to wear unevenly, the more money you end up paying in gas.
In short, there are many benefits to proper alignment, smoother driving, improved vehicle safety, longer life of tires, lower fuel and repair costs! Be sure to keep an eye on your alignment for a safe and comfortable ride. Bring your vehicle to The Professionals You Can Trust at Hillside Auto Repair.