5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Wheel Alignment Issues
The next time you find yourself going for a quick car servicing, or an MOT test, do get your wheel alignment done. It will save you much money in the long run and prevent long-term damage to your vehicle.
What Is Wheel Alignment?
Wheel alignment is simply the adjustment of the angles of your wheels in such a manner that is prescribed by the car manufacturer, to ensure the optimum performance of the vehicle. Basically, it's the position of your wheels that will make your drive comfortable and safer.
As per these alignments, the wheels are perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other. It also helps with increasing fuel efficiency, preventing wear and tear on your tyres, and enhancing your overall safety. As of now, there are three types of wheel alignment Bristol available, depending on your vehicle's make and model. These are:
- Front-end Alignment: It is basically adjustments done to the front axle. The simplest type of alignment is only suitable for classic cars.
- Thrust Alignment: It combines with the front-end alignment to ensure that all four wheels are squared off correctly. It is most suitable for cars that rely on their rear axle.
- Four-wheel Alignment: Lastly, there is four-wheel alignment, which is basically the above two combined with the rear axle angles. It is most suitable for four-wheel and all-wheel drive cars.
How Do You Identify Alignment Issues?
But first, we have to understand how to actually identify such alignment issues. Normally, such signs can range from subtle to obvious ways. You can experience a slight pulling at a side while driving or feel vibrations. These are all signs of wheel alignment issues.
You should not wait and get your car checked as soon as you discover such telltale signs. Prolonging it will only make the subsequent repairs that much costlier. Having said that, here are a few quick tips to identify wheel alignment issues.
- Wear and Tear of Tyres: When doing MOT testing Bristol or car servicing, if you find unexpected wear and tear on your tyres then it can be a sign of wheel alignment issues.
- Steering Trouble: When driving, if you feel your car move or pull to one side more forcefully, then it's likely your wheels are misaligned.
- Undue Vibration: If your steering wheel vibrates without cause, especially when driving at faster speeds, it is a clear indication of improper wheel alignment.
Reasons Not To Ignore Wheel Alignment Issues
This brings us to the gist of the situation, which is why you should not ignore wheel alignment issues. We have discussed 5 such reasons below:
Overall Road Safety
First and foremost, by using a car with wheel alignment issues, you are not only endangering yourself but also others on the road. Driving such vehicles can lead to accidents, as it is difficult to control them. You should always make sure your wheel alignment has been done properly. It will prevent the car from going out of control and keep it on track, even at higher speeds or when driving under difficult weather.
Stressful Vehicle Handling
Misaligned wheels stress your entire suspension system. It can lead to a breakdown that will be costly to repair. When you drive a car with bad wheel alignment, it is not only unsafe but also equally stressful. The wheels put stress on your steering capabilities, and you find it much harder to move the car in the right direction, making the drive much tenser. Also, when driving on a busy or crowded road, it adds to the anxiety. Then, there is also bad weather to consider, which can add to your troubles.
Higher Fuel Costs
Your fuel consumption will rise when driving a car with misaligned wheels. It will affect the speed and grip of your car, resulting in a higher fuel expenditure just to keep the vehicle under control. Studies have already shown that drag, which is produced on the tyres, can affect fuel efficiency by up to 10%. With improper wheel alignment, you will also find it harder for your car to move forward, adding to fuel costs.
Wear and Tear of Tyres
You can see the direct result of bad wheel alignment on your tyres. A misaligned tyre will undergo heavy wear and tear, and that too at a faster rate. Driving with such tyres can affect your car’s ability to grip the road properly, which can lead to accidents and also do damage to your wheel and axle.
If you choose to ignore wheel alignment issues, your tyres will probably undergo premature damage like constant punctures and a deeper tyre tread.
Costly Repairs
Lastly, bad wheel alignment often leads to costly repairs in the long run. And it can be for a number of reasons too, from worn-out tyres to the breakdown of your suspension system. You also have to consider your MOT test. Any of these reasons can lead to a hefty bill, which is quite easy to avoid as long as you get your wheel aligned when you go for your car servicing or your MOT Bristol testing.
Comments
Post a Comment