Car maintenance can feel really complicated sometimes. There are all sorts of different services that need to be performed, from oil changes to wheel alignments. But how often should you ideally get yours checked? When you’re not sure how often that should happen, it’s easy to put it on the back burner and then completely forget about getting an alignment, but this can lead to wheel trouble and premature tire wear. McCurley’s Shell explains more below.
Truthfully, More Often Than You Think
Most people avoid getting an alignment or never think much about it unless something goes really far out of whack. But honestly, you should have the alignment checked at least as often as you get new tires or every two years, whichever comes first. New tires need to be properly balanced, and if the alignment is corrected at the same time, you’re more likely to have better handling and even tire wear.
What Is An Alignment?
Basically, the alignment ensures that all of your tires are adjusted properly so that they’re facing the correct direction. There are other adjustments done at the same time, too, called camber, caster, and toe. These all refer to angles the tires, shocks, and struts require to allow the car to drive in a straight line. Once aligned, there are things that can knock your car out of alignment, like hitting a pothole.
Signs That Your Car Needs an Adjustment
If you haven’t had your car aligned in a while, how can you tell when it’s time for you to go ahead and get an alignment done? One big sign involves the car pulling when you’re driving straight. If you feel the car pulling to the left or right, that’s an alignment issue. Check your tire wear, too. If there’s uneven tire wear and the tires are more worn than they should be for their age, alignment is likely the culprit.
What Happens if You Skip It?
No one is going to take your birthday away if you don’t get your car aligned on time, but you’re running some risks. First, your tires are definitely going to suffer. You’re also going to have handling issues that become worse as the alignment gets worse. Eventually, you could even experience damage to the shocks and struts because of their connection to the suspension system, as well as the tires.
Don’t let that happen to you. Get in touch with McCurley’s Shell in Atlanta, GA. We can check out your car’s alignment and ensure that your car is back on the straight and narrow.
