If your car, truck, CUV, or SUV pulls to one side when you are steering straight, your wheels are out of alignment. If your steering wheel logo is crooked when you’re driving straight, your wheels are out of alignment. Your wheels should be aligned when you buy a new set of tires and every two years after that. They can be knocked out of alignment if you hit any of the following things.
Bumps
Whether minor or major, bumps in the road wreak havoc on your tires and wheels. It’s important to go over bumps slowly and avoid them when you can. If you just flew over a huge road bump that you didn’t see, you may have knocked your wheels out of alignment.
Curbs
Curbs are wheel alignment killers. When you hit a curb, you push the wheel inward. This throws the alignment off, can damage the tire, and can even affect your wheel balance. Be careful turning corners and when you parallel park that you don’t make contact with the curb.
Markers
Concrete markers at the ends of parking spaces are very hard on your front wheels. Hitting them pushes your wheels backward and out of their natural alignment. Leaving the wheels pressed against the marker can also damage your tires. Pull in safely and slowly.
Potholes
Potholes can do everything from knocking your wheels out of alignment to blowing out a tire to breaking an axle. Yikes! These things are car killers, which is why so many people get frustrated with their municipal road departments if the streets are not repaved.
Road Hazards
Other road hazards that can knock your wheels out of alignment include rocks, tire rubber, tree branches, and items that have fallen out of the back of a truck. Keep a wary eye on the roads ahead of you to ensure you don’t run over something that could damage your tires and wheels.
Speed Bumps
Finally, speed bumps are also a wheel alignment’s worst enemy. Some people think it’s hilarious to fly over them at high speeds, only to find that they break an axle in the process. The recommended speed limit for going over speed bumps is 5 mph or slower. Go slow as you can to protect your wheels.
We are 2000 Auto, and we are a full-service auto repair shop in Melbourne, FL. We can check your vehicle’s wheel alignment and realign the wheels if they need it. We can also service and repair your vehicle no matter what you drive. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment.