All four wheels on your vehicle must be aligned to ensure the safest travel and best handling. Most people don’t consider the need to check and align their wheels regularly. Ignoring the problem and skipping wheel alignments might prove to be a costly mistake that leads to a dangerous accident where you could damage property, cause injuries, or worse. Here are some common signs to watch for that tell you it’s time to get your wheels aligned.

It’s Been Years Since Your Last Wheel Alignment

Like all mechanical things, a wheel alignment requires regular inspections and occasional adjustments to keep your wheels true and your travels straight. According to The Globe and Mail, you should have a technician check and align your vehicle’s wheels at least every three years and maybe more often. If it’s been longer than that since you last had your wheels checked and aligned, it’s past time to have it done.

The Car Consistently Pulls to One Side

One of the most common signs drivers experience when wheels are misaligned is when their car pulls to one side. You might catch yourself steering slightly in one direction to stop your vehicle from drifting in the opposite way. A strong wind can push your car to one side of the road, but when it’s still, your car should travel on a naturally straight path. If yours still pulls to one side, you should have the alignment checked and adjusted as needed.

Tires Show Unusual Tread Wear

Misaligned wheels cause the tires that are mounted to them to wear unevenly. One side might wear down faster than the other. A tire also might show wear that travels at an angle across the tread, leaving some good tread while removing the rest. Any unusual wear of the tread on one or more wheels is a clear indication that you need to have the alignment checked right away and then mount new tires.

You Drive on Rough Roads

Many people who regularly drive over potholes, speed bumps, and other road hazards need alignments done to fix the resulting damage. Hard jolts can knock a wheel out of alignment at once or through the cumulative effects of many hard jolts over time. The rougher the roads are where you live, the more often you should have the alignment checked and adjusted.

You can call or visit our automotive facility to have your alignment checked and adjusted when necessary to improve steering and handling. For more information, call Bradford Autocare LLC today!