Maintaining the Balance with Wheel Alignment
According to Hunter Wheel Alignment, any time there is a misalignment, it will affect four things: the suspension, safety, steering and durability of tires.
Misalignment Cause and Effect
Several factors can be the cause of wheel alignment issues, such as hitting a curb or bumping into concrete stalls, or wear and tear of vehicle components. It is important to correct it and get it checked immediately as it can affect the fuel efficiency of your car. Gas mileage can go down by 10% since the tires will now drag instead of rolling freely. This can be an expensive affair for you over time. Tires that pull either towards the right or left do not allow for a smooth ride. The entire ride maybe bumpy, vibration filled and jumpy. Steering a car that’s misaligned is tough work too. It may require you to hold a steering wheel at an awkward angle to keep the car from veering to the sides. Stability of the car rendering can be affected too, and this is dangerous and makes you more likely to suffer a collision. Even the slightest misalignment can lead to bigger problems and create additional damage, but fixing the four wheel alignment in the initial stages will save you from a lot of unnecessary expenses.
Types of Misalignment
Wheel alignment problems can cause the tires to wear out easily and lead to premature damage. Over time, tires can also become feathered, where one side of the tread is smooth while the other side is worn down. Hunter Wheel Alignment advises that improper alignment is something to consider if you have to buy a new set of tires frequently.
The angle of the tires on the frame of the vehicle is known as camber, and if the inside or outside of the tire tread looks more worn out than the centre then it could be due to camber wear. If the tilt is outside, then it is a positive camber while an inward tilt refers to a negative camber. Positive camber helps to keep the vehicle stable while the negative camber enables efficient turning. While both are necessary, too much of either can cause misalignment.
Heel and toe wear happens when one side of the tire wears down faster than the other tire rolling in the same direction. It is usually accompanied by vibrations or noises.
Digital Wheel Alignment and regular maintenance of the car and diagnosis to check if the tires are balanced and aligned, will ensure that your car performs well and lasts longer.