An aligned wheel steers fluidly. Making turns should be seamless. A driver should never be battling their own vehicle and physically have to force a turn. For purposes of safety, comfort, and practicality, as a driver you need your wheel alignment to be intact so your steering functions effectively and easily. Unfortunately, it is easy to disrupt the functionality of your steering wheel, at which point it is critical to professionally service your car to identify what type of realignment needs to be performed.
Common Driving Situation that can cause Misalignment
Daily situations every driver faces on the road can influence your vehicle’s wheel alignment. Just the action of driving progressively influences the proper functionality of your wheel alignment because your tires are facing daily stress and pressure. Potential reason your wheel alignment may be influenced for the worse include:
• Automotive Accidents
• Curb Collision
• Contact with Potholes
• Reluctance to slow down over speed bumps
The more intense one of these contacts occur, the higher possibility / higher severity the status of your wheel alignment will need professional examination and repairing. Wheel alignment is a common, frequent repair request because it is not only an intense occurrence that would prompt a visit to the mechanic, but simply a series of these daily occurrence as well.
What are signs that my alignment may be affected?
As a driver operating a powerful machine, it is important we listen to the machine and not dismiss abnormalities, no matter the size, because small abnormalities can serve as warning signs of deeper problems, like off wheel alignment. Some examples include:
• Car Pulling when driving
• Tire Damage / Deterioration
• Unbalanced Tire Levels
• Shrieking or Squealing Noises from Tires
Upon observing any of these warning signs, it is important to take your vehicle in for observation to a certified automotive technician. The process of examination can vary depending on the technician, but typically there is some manual observation involved and ultimately computerized examination that will take place. The alignment machine will determine which of the 3 wheel alignment procedures is necessary.
How To Manage Urgent Wheel Alignment Problems
1. When the front axle is adjusted, a front-end wheel alignment was completed.
2. When all wheels are checked and a front-end alignment is conducted, it is a thrust alignment
3. When the rear axle angles are arranged and a front-end and thrust are conducted, it is a four-wheel alignment.
A professional will determine which alignment procedure is necessary for your vehicle. It is important as a driver or owner of an automotive vehicle to be proactive and aware of possible warning signs. Regardless if a warning sign is noticed, routine maintenance should include wheel alignment examination as it is a driving factor that is easily influenced.