Although there are many other factors that can cause tire wear, such as Canada’s climate, road surface quality, and your driving style, improper tire alignment is the main cause to irregular treadwear. When out of alignment, your tires will wear unevenly and prematurely and can even cause driver assist systems to malfunction. Common irregular tire tread wear conditions from improper alignment include the following: Heel/Toe wear, Feathering, and Camber wear.
If you are experiencing irregular tire wear, handling issues, or an off centered steering wheel, an alignment inspection and correction should be performed. Even without experiencing any indicators of alignment related issues, most vehicle manufacturers recommend checking your alignment at least annually or at every seasonal tire changeover and to have it corrected with the purchase of new tires.
Main benefits of a wheel alignment
1. Increases fuel efficiency
Misalignment can decrease gas mileage. Instead of rolling freely, misaligned tires drag causing rolling resistance. That means if your tires aren’t adjusted properly, you could be spending more money on gas due to the additional effort it take to pull the load. A wheel alignment could help you conserve fuel and fill up less often.
2. Reduces expensive vehicle repairs
If your tires are misaligned, a little jolt could lead to big problems. Hitting a pothole, for example, can cause way more damage to your tires and suspension system with a bad alignment. Spending a small amount of money on a wheel alignment can prevent you from dishing out big bucks for bigger auto repairs down the road.
3. Experience smooth and comfortable driving
When your tires are out of alignment, your vehicle tends to pull to the left or right. A wheel alignment smooths out your ride and contributes to a better behind-the-wheel experience.
4. Improves vehicle safety
If your vehicles wheels are out of alignment, it’s harder to control the vehicle. You may even find yourself holding the steering wheel at an awkward angle to drive the vehicle straight, or veering from side to side. This lack of control increases your likelihood of being involved in an accident. Proper wheel alignment means you’re able to steer clear of those problems and maintain stable control of your vehicle.
5. Increases the life of your tires
When out of alignment, your tires will wear unevenly and prematurely. Getting your wheels aligned keeps the wear even, so your tires last longer.
Signs of uneven or premature tire wear
Check to see if your tires show any signs of the following types of uneven or premature tire wear:
- Heel and toe wear: on the tread of your tire, there are individual sections called tire “tread blocks.” When one side of a tread block appears to be wearing down faster than the other in your tire’s rolling direction, it’s called heel and toe wear. A symptom of heel/toe wear can be noise or vibration.
- Feathering: Tires become “feathered” when the tread is smooth or worn down on one side and sharp on the other. This type of tire wear occurs when there’s a combination of improper alignment settings.
- Camber/Caster wear: Is the inside or outside edge of your tire tread looking much more worn than the center of the tread? It could be due to camber or caster wear which refers to the angle of your tires on your vehicles frame and it can be positive or negative depending on the angle. Positive camber (tilting outward) is usually helpful to keep recreational vehicles stable, while negative camber (tilting inward) helps high-performance vehicles handle turns. While some positive or negative camber is good, too much of either is bad.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I have my wheel alignment checked?
Most vehicle manufacturers recommend checking your alignment at least annually or at every seasonal tire changeover, and having it corrected when you buy new tires.
What are the signs my car needs an alignment?
Irregular tire wear, handling issues, an off-centre steering wheel, or a vehicle that pulls to the left or right.
Can a bad alignment affect my driver assist systems?
Yes. Wheels that are out of alignment can even cause driver assist systems to malfunction.
Does a wheel alignment save money?
Yes. Misaligned tires drag and create rolling resistance, so you spend more on gas, and a pothole can do far more damage to your tires and suspension. A small spend on an alignment can prevent bigger repairs.
Book a wheel alignment at Active Green + Ross
Getting your tires and wheels aligned and balanced at your local Canadian Active Green+Ross will help keep you rolling safer and your vehicle will last longer and perform better. Trust your local Canadian owned and operated tire & service experts and SCHEDULE a Wheel Alignment TODAY!
