Why is a wheel alignment necessary?

The engine is the heart of a car and the wheels are the legs. Car owners often ignore the wheels and tires during servicing. It's not an easy task to maintain a car nowadays. If proper maintenance and measures are not taken, then it may lead to accidents. Just overhauling an engine is not enough. You need to check the wheels and tires, too. 

So what is wheel alignment? A question often confused with wheel balancing. In a nutshell, it is a process of checking and adjusting the angles of each of the wheels. If wheel alignment is not done properly, then it may reduce the life of the tire. A perfect wheel alignment leads to extended tire life and handling capability of the car. But how will you judge whether the wheels are improperly aligned? Check these signs to get more clarity: 

• Body Vibration. 

• Car pulling to one side.

 • At higher speeds, cars lose their control. 

• Tire wear and tear 

• The steering system is affected most, as it should go back to the center position after it has been turned.

As a car owner, it's necessary to check these signs and get the wheel-alignment done. Wheel alignment of your car should be done when these scenarios occur:

1. There's no specific period or date to get your wheels aligned. But it's recommended to get your car wheels aligned after every two to three years. Ask your mechanic to assess the wheels during service and get them aligned.

2. Riding a car on bumpy roads can lead to accidents if Wheel alignment is not done for a long time.

3. Go for wheel alignment once a year if you are driving the car in a terrain area. Rough terrain can lead to tire wear and tear.

4. Always check your steering wheel position. The wheel should go back to its normal position while turning the wheel.

5. Consult your authorized service center if the car is drifting off to one side while driving. 

Wheels get misaligned due to: 

• Too many off-road trips. 

• Hitting a pothole while driving. 

• If a car meets with an accident. 

• Rash driving on a bumpy path. 

• Reckless driving and drifting reduces tire life. 

Advantages of your aligned wheel: 

• Better stability and handling of your vehicle. 

• Increase in the lifespan of tires. 

• Fuel efficiency increases if the wheel is properly aligned. In the case of a misaligned wheel, the fuel efficiency decreases. 

• During wet road conditions, braking works better, as the tread of your tires increases the life when the wheel is perfectly aligned. 

• Better road grip on highways. 

• You can take long rides confidently without worries on highways.

 As a proud car owner, it's your responsibility to assess the following factors while getting your car serviced. Always prefer getting the wheel alignment at an authorized service center. It is recommended to get your wheels aligned every 2 to 3 years. Make sure you get your wheels aligned during an oil change. 

If you care for your car, then the car will take care of you. It is advisable to get your car serviced by skilled and experienced technicians. Never opt for wheel alignment at a local garage by unskilled technicians. Avoid getting your car serviced at a local garage it may cause more damage to your vehicle. 

Find the best and professional technicians at an authorized service center. In case of spare parts unavailability, they can provide you with genuine spare parts if needed. A regular maintenance check and servicing will save your money and time. So get your wheel alignment as soon as possible.