Wheel Alignment in Daphne, AL
Making sure that your car's wheel alignment is correct is an important safety measure. While a wheel alignment usually happens when you fit new tires, you can also do wheel alignment checks at other times. For instance, if you notice your car veering, it would be wise to have it checked. At Tameron Buick GMC, we believe in preventive care to ensure the longevity of your tires. One way to do this is through regular wheel alignment services.
What Happens During a Wheel Alignment Service?
At Tameron Buick GMC, we know the importance of proper wheel alignment and how it can enhance your driving experience. Our technicians are trained to look for signs that indicate how the wheel lost its alignment and how to fix the issue. There are several steps a technician takes during a wheel alignment service.
Establish the Cause
If the wheel alignment is out, a technician will do several tests to figure out whether the alignment issues are a result of driving conditions or an actual problem with the car.
Prepare the Equipment
During the wheel alignment process, the technician would need to use several different tools. To ensure the alignment goes smoothly, these need to be prepared ahead of time.
Provide the Correct measurements and Angles
Before the actual alignment starts, the technician needs to know the dimensions and measurements of the tires to input them into the equipment. During this process, the equipment measures the angles of the wheels. Some of the angles taken into consideration during this process include the toe, caster, camber, and thrust angles.
Adjust the Alignment
The adjustment takes place once all the information is fed into the equipment. The technician still needs to check the measurements to ensure the alignment is correct.
Test Drive
The best way to check the alignment is by taking it out for a test drive and seeing how the vehicle handles.
When Should I Send My Car in for Wheel Alignment?
You should get a wheel alignment every time you change tires on your car, hit a pothole, bump a curb, or spend a lot of time on bumpy or dirt roads. At Tameron Buick GMC, we recommend you do a wheel alignment check with every car service. However, some manufacturers recommend that you check the alignment every 6,000 miles.
You should also look out for the following signs that the car's wheel alignment may need adjusting.
Veering
On a flat, level road, your car should stay its course. If it doesn't and pulls to the side, it might have an alignment issue.
Unusual Tire Wear
In normal conditions, the tires should wear evenly across the surface. While differing drivetrains, such as front-wheel drive, may affect the tires differently, they should wear fairly evenly. If you notice spotty or uneven wear that only affects one side of the wheel, it's time to book it in for a check.
Off-Center Steering Wheel
When you're driving on a straight road, the steering wheel should be in a centered position. If this isn't the case, the car's alignment might be out. The steering rack might also be a contributor to the misalignment.
Recentering Problems
When you turn a corner, the steering wheel should center back. However, when the alignment is out, you would have to adjust the steering back to a central position manually.
Handling Issues
Alignment plays an important role in how well your car handles. When the alignment is out, you may find simple driving tasks difficult to manage, such as keeping to a lane, changing lanes, and even turning into a parking space.
Tire Noise
Ordinarily, you shouldn't hear the sound of your tires during a drive. However, if there are noises such as thumping or squealing, this could indicate problems with your car's wheel alignment.
Why Is Wheel Alignment Important?
Wheel alignment should form part of your car's regular servicing as it contributes to your overall driving experience and road safety. At Tameron Buick GMC, we offer a tire rotation service that can alert you to possible wheel alignment issues. Reasons to have a wheel alignment done regularly include the following.
Cost Saving
Tires are expensive, especially if you're on the road a lot. You want to ensure that you get their full use until the tread wears down to the legal limit. When the car has wheel alignment issues, you might have to change your tires more often to accommodate the uneven wear. When the wheel alignment is off, the car also needs to readjust constantly, which places it under more strain. This may result in you spending more on fuel.
Improved Handling
Wheel alignment plays an important role in handling. When your car's alignment is in order, it can respond better to steering prompts. When the alignment is out, it can take your car longer to adjust to these nudges, which not only places strain on your driving experience but can also result in avoidable errors.
Reduced Mechanical Wear
When the wheel alignment is out, it places stress on other components that can affect the overall mechanical workings of your car. Some areas that take additional strain include ball joints and wheel bearings.
Warranty Requirements
If you've invested in special warranties, such as those for rims and tires, it's common for some insurance companies to specify that you must get regular wheel alignment checks.
Keep Your Wheels in Great Shape With Tameron Buick GMC
Without tires, your car won't be going anywhere. But tires aren't only there to get you to your destination. Their condition can also affect the smoothness of your ride, how the car handles, and whether your vehicle will respond to your prompts in time to avoid possible hazards. Tameron Buick GMC offers several tire-based services, from sourcing the right wheels to wheel alignment and tire rotations. Give us a call to schedule a tire and wheel alignment assessment today.
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