When we purchase a home, we know that there is a lot of follow on maintenance required to keep your home looking great inside and out…while also being a functional, happy place for your family to live. But we often seem to forget that buying a car also requires maintenance to keep your trusty transportation running smoothly and on the move to wherever you need to be every day.

Many people believe that a wheel alignment is necessary only when they have encountered a large pothole, hit a curb, or purchased new tires. However, maintaining a proper alignment is just as important as changing the oil in your car.

wheel alignment

Here is why you should check your wheel alignment on an annual basis:

  1. Extended Life of Your Tires – When your car is improperly aligned, your tires become prematurely worn. The tread becomes uneven, which causes a “whup-whup-whup” sound as you drive. A misaligned car can wear through tires in a few thousand miles, which will cost you a significant amount money in the long run.
  2. Increased Fuel Efficiency – When your automobile is moving in a straight line, the friction between the tires and the road is minimized. This burns less fuel, since the engine doesn’t have to work as hard to keep the car moving forward. When you have an improper alignment, the increased resistance adds a cost to every mile.
  3. Reduced Wear and Tear on the Suspension – The car’s suspension stabilizes the vehicle and provides a smooth ride for passengers. When a car is misaligned, front end components such as ball joints, wheel bearings, and tie rod ends experience increased wear and tear.
  4. Improved Handling – After you perform a wheel alignment on your vehicle, you will notice that your automobile doesn’t pull to one side of the road. Overall, the car will handle well and be easier to drive. For example, if you are up north and complete a Pittsburgh wheel alignment, you might just find yourself wandering into less potholes this spring.
  5. Safer Driving – The alignment process includes a thorough safety inspection. This will enable the technician to replace worn parts before a catastrophic failure occurs. If you have kids or pets, or even just travel alone, the last thing you should want is to be in an unsafe car on the road, putting your own life and the life of others at risk.

If you want your car to last longer and cost you less, add a wheel alignment to your list of annual maintenance tasks. Your safety will be ensured, and it will be more economical than a new set of tires!

happy driving family