Wheel Alignment
We cannot emphasise enough about the importance of correct wheel alignment in your vehicle. It affects your safety, other road users safety, your vehicle handling and also your bills – let us explain more.
This blog covers all you need to know when it comes to correct wheel alignment, how to tell if yours are misaligned and how wheel alignment could save you on fuel and tyre costs.
Correct wheel alignment helps maintain tyre durability, reduces the likelihood of accidents happening and reduces your repair bills in the long run.
Swift Motor Services is here to service the Worthing area thanks to our dedicated team of expert technicians. If you’re looking for exceptional customer service and specialist repairs and maintenance then give us a call today.
Keep reading to find out more about the importance of wheel alignment.
What Is Wheel Alignment?
Wheel alignment is the process of adjusting each wheel angle to ensure wheels are parallel to each other, facing the right direction and are 90 degrees from the ground. It is a vital adjustment that affects the handling, safety and performance of a vehicle.
The two main types of wheel alignment are two-wheel alignment and four-wheel alignment.
Two Wheel Alignment
Only adjusting the front wheels, a two-wheel alignment is also known as a front-end alignment. It is recommended for vehicles that have a solid rear axle which includes vans, trucks and older cars. Swift Motor Services adjusts the caster, camber and toe-in of the front wheels during a two-wheel alignment, making sure both wheels align with the vehicle centreline.
Four Wheel Alignment
Four or All-wheel alignment involves adjusting all four wheels at the same time. Lots of passenger vehicles today will require four-wheel alignment as they have independent suspension which is much more sophisticated and adjustable than a solid rear axle. A four-wheel alignment undertaken by Swift Motor Services involves adjusting the caber, caster and toe-in of all four wheels to make sure they are aligned correctly according to manufacturer specifications.
How Do Wheels Become Misaligned?
Lots of factors affect how the wheels are misaligned. They include driving through potholes, uneven roads, small accidents, knocks and collisions with a curb. Over time, your suspension absorbs a lot of force and causes normal wear and tear where components deteriorate, knocking your wheels out of alignment.
If you are unsure whether your wheels are properly aligned, perhaps you’ve hit a hard pothole, then reach out to us at Swift Motor Services. We perform wheel alignment checks and make adjustments where necessary.
Keep reading to find out what you might be experiencing when your wheels are misaligned.
How To Tell Your Wheels Are Misaligned
If you notice any of the following symptoms it’s best to let the expert team of technicians at Swift Motor Services adjust your wheel alignment. Here’s what you need to look out for:
- Off-Centre Steering – When the steering wheel is not centred while driving straight, it might suggest that there is a misalignment of the wheels.
- Tyre Squealing – Wheels that are out of alignment may lead to tyres emitting a squealing sound, particularly during turning.
- Difficulty Controlling the Vehicle – Manoeuvring the vehicle with sudden turns or at high speeds can become challenging if there is a misalignment in one of the wheels.
- Vehicle Drifting to One Side – Misaligned wheels can cause the vehicle to drift to one side.
- Uneven Tyre Wear – Wheel misalignment can result in uneven tyre wear, causing some tyres to wear down more rapidly than others.
- Decreased Fuel Efficiency – Misaligned wheels may elevate tire rolling resistance, subsequently impacting the vehicle’s fuel efficiency.
- Steering Wheel Vibration – Vibrations in the steering wheel, especially at higher speeds, could be an indication of wheel misalignment.
If you notice any of these symptoms we recommend a professional inspection and adjustment of your wheels. Swift Motor Services performs all types of wheel alignments and can get your vehicle back on the road, with the wheels aligned correctly, in no time.
It’s considered dangerous to have misaligned wheels as your handling is negatively affected and can cause difficulty in steering, braking and drifting across lanes. It also reduces fuel economy and causes unnecessary tyre wear.
Wheel Alignment Benefits
Correctly aligning your wheels has major benefits, they are:
- Improved fuel efficiency – Proper wheel alignment reduces tyre resistance, decreasing vehicle fuel consumption and enhancing fuel efficiency.
- Cost savings – Correct wheel alignment can lead to savings on tyre replacements, fuel and other vehicle repairs.
- Reduced strain on vehicle components – Misaligned wheels can place unnecessary stress on your vehicle’s suspension and steering components, resulting in costly repairs. Aligning the wheels reduces strain on these components and extends their lifespan.
- Enhanced vehicle handling – Properly aligned wheels improve your vehicle’s steering and handling, especially during cornering and high-speed driving. Additionally, it provides a smoother and more comfortable ride.
- Safer driving – Misaligned wheels may cause uneven tyre wear, leading to handling issues and an increased risk of accidents. Wheel alignment ensures that your vehicle handles correctly, reducing the risk of accidents.
- Longer tyre life – Aligned tyres last longer and wear evenly, resulting in cost savings over time.
- Improved driving comfort – Well-aligned wheels contribute to a smooth and comfortable ride, making your driving experience less tiring and more enjoyable.
How Aligning Your Wheels will Save you Money
You could potentially save money by having your wheels properly aligned. How much you can save depends on several factors such as the make and model of your vehicle, your driving style and how much you drive. Misaligned wheels could result in as much as a 7% reduction in fuel economy according to studies, therefore having properly aligned wheels helps improve fuel economy and ultimately saves you money.
Let’s use a real-world example. Say you have a vehicle driving 15,000 miles per year which currently gets an average of 35mpg, but your wheels are not aligned. This would ordinarily cost you just over £3,000 a year in fuel. With a 7% better fuel economy thanks to proper wheel alignment it would cost you much less at around £2,800, saving you £200 per year on your fuel.
Also, with correct wheel alignment, your tyres are now wearing evenly and lasting longer. This saves you a lot on tyre replacement costs too. Act today and align your wheels correctly with Swift Motor Services and we can save you those costs.
With correct wheel alignment, you are mostly ensuring your safety and the safety of other road users because you can react quickly to dangers and be safe in the knowledge your vehicle will point in the direction it’s supposed to.
In conclusion, correct wheel alignment is vital for your safety, your vehicle’s roadworthiness and your savings.
The advantages of proper alignment range from decreasing tyre wear and increased fuel consumption to reducing the likelihood of accidents and repair costs. For these reasons and so many more, we recommend that if you suspect your wheels may be misaligned, you do not hesitate to contact Swift Motor Services.
Our skilled technicians will guarantee that your vehicle is in optimal condition, allowing you to experience safe and efficient driving on the roads.
