Misaligned wheels cause big problems in a couple of ways. First, they cause your tires to wear too fast and unevenly. Second, they can affect your suspension system, which is a bigger repair. 2000 Auto has some suggestions to help you to avoid misaligned wheels.
Went Too Fast Over a Bump
Whether you’re talking about those speed bumps that seem to crop up out of nowhere or just random bumps in the road, they all count when it comes to how they affect your car’s alignment. If you do see a sign warning you about any kind of bump, take heed. Even a small speed bump can do some serious damage to wheel alignment.
Clipped a Curb
Just like with hitting a speed bump or other obstacle in the road, clipping a curb affects how your wheels are aligned. Once or twice probably won’t make a huge difference in your wheel alignment, but if this is a habit of yours, it can add up. It’s worth practicing ways to avoid hitting curbs so that you can reduce this risk factor.
Didn’t Avoid a Pothole
Potholes are seriously bad news for your car’s suspension and wheel alignment. Small potholes might not be a big deal, but the problem is that there aren’t always good ways to gauge whether a pothole is “small enough” to go ahead and hit. And the potholes you didn’t even see? Can sometimes do the worst damage.
Got into a Wreck
Any time that you get into an accident in your car, that is going to affect a variety of systems, including wheel alignment. Even if you think that the wreck was too minor to do any damage, it’s important to make sure. Get your wheel alignment checked along with any other post-accident inspections.
Neglected Preventative Maintenance
Preventative maintenance solves a world of problems, especially with wheel alignment. When you are already getting your tires rotated and balanced, consider getting the alignment checked as well. This can help you to correct alignment issues before they impact the entire suspension system.
Not sure whether your wheels need an alignment or not? 2000 Auto in Melbourne, FL can help. We’ll inspect the alignment for you and let you know what your car needs. If the problem has affected other parts of your car, we’ll let you know that, too. We’ve got solutions for all of your car’s maintenance and repair needs.