How Often Should Wheel Alignments Be Done?

Your car’s wheels are a vital component in getting you from point A to point B. Where would you be without them? If you’ve ever traveled down a road just to notice that your car is veering slightly to the right or left, there’s likely an alignment problem.

What Is a Tire Realignment?

Every time your car is brought in for a routine inspection, your mechanic will examine the steering and suspension components to ensure everything is working correctly. This includes checking your wheels and tires as well as other vital parts of the steering system. One of these major components is your car or truck’s alignment. 

Over time, the parts that keep your tires parallel with the ground can wear out and become misaligned. On vehicles with independent suspensions, the springs and shock absorbers can also wear out over time or get damaged because of poor driving habits or certain road conditions like potholes or tar patches. When it comes to wheel alignment, how often should you get it checked? Well, if you want to get the most out of your tires, we’re here to help!

How Often Should You Get Your Tires Realigned?

When you have your car’s wheels aligned, it’s often necessary to have them re-aligned a few months later. It helps to maintain straightness and contact with the ground during cornering, reducing the amount of wear on your tires and providing you with more traction while you’re driving down the highway. The Master Muffler of Orem technicians can help ensure your vehicle stays aligned with the right type of alignment service.

What Causes Tires to Misalign?

Driving conditions, general wear, tear, and alterations can cause tires to lose alignment. Here are a few of the common reasons you’ll begin to see a problem:

• Normal Wear – As your tires begin to wear, the joints around each tire’s components begin to loosen, leading to tires leaning slightly away from the center point.
• New Tires – Changing tires can actually lead to misalignment down the line. That’s why it’s essential to have your tires rotated periodically, even if they are newer.

• Road Impactions – Avoiding a pesky pothole or a rough road is not always possible. Road impactions will impact alignment over time. A major incident on the road will affect alignment much quicker. So if you’ve hit a large pothole and suddenly feel a shift in how your car is handling, it’s time for a realignment and tire rotation. 

Is There a Difference between 4-Wheel and 2-Wheel Drive Vehicles?

Yes! For four-wheel drive vehicles, it’s always recommended to realign all four tires regularly. If your car is only a front-wheel drive, you may only need the front two tires realigned.

What Happens If You Don’t Get Regular Tire Realignments?

Tires can wear down much faster if you’re not keeping up with alignments. Misalignment can lead to tires that wear out much faster than they should, but at worst, it can actually lead to unsafe driving. Uneven wearing may not be something you notice immediately, but if you’ve been noticing that one or more tires is wearing down quicker than others, this is a consequence of not getting those regular tire realignments.

Tire Alignment Services at Master Muffler

Whether you’re planning to replace your worn-out tires or you suspect that your tires are in need of an adjustment and rotation, the team at Master Muffler of Orem is happy to help. Our wheel alignment services help keep you safe on the road and will likely help the life of your tires last longer. Call us today to schedule a tire service with our experienced auto team.