It's one of the common auto maintenance items you may be asked about when you visit our service center, or the local service chain: "Do you want us to check the alignment?" For ideal performance, comfort and safety, all four wheels of your car must be properly aligned. Over time, the bumps and impacts that your car endures can cause subtle shifts in your vehicle's alignment -- leading to major issues over time. An alignment check can see if your car is in need of alignment service. Or, you might detect some of these problems below while you're driving. Here are four reasons why it's important to have the alignment regularly checked and properly maintained on your car.
4. Steering Accuracy
When the alignment on your vehicle is off, you may feel a sensation that the vehicle is "pulling" to the left or right, while you try to hold the steering wheel at center. This can create other steering issues and unpredictable handling. The steering system also helps the vehicle's steering wheel return to center automatically after completing a turn. If the alignment is off, this returning action may not occur, or the wheel might not return all the way to center, or could even go past center. Poor alignment can make your vehicle more difficult to control.
3. Steering Wheel Vibration
Worse, bad wheel alignment can make your drive more uncomfortable. If your wheels are misaligned, you may notice vibrations in the steering wheel. A shaking steering wheel doesn't exactly inspire confidence as you drive! In fact, it can be quite unnerving. If your steering wheel shakes or vibrates as you drive, incorrect wheel alignment could be to blame. It could also be that your wheels need to be balanced.
2. Tire Wear
Your tires will wear down more rapidly on one side if your wheel alignment is off. In fact, that's one of the best ways to diagnose poor wheel alignment that isn't yet severe enough to create the above symptoms. If your tires still have deep tread on one side, but they're almost bald on the other, chances are you've got alignment issues. Because poor alignment can cause you to need new tires more often, alignment service is definitely something that can save you money in the long run.
1. Drive Fatigue
The biggest reason to have the alignment on your vehicle checked and adjusted as needed? To make the drive more enjoyable! Driving with a car that has bad steering alignment can be exhausting, as you seemingly have to fight against your car just to keep it going straight. Maneuvering also becomes more difficult, as you can't predict how far the wheel must turn and you may have to take a more active role in returning the wheel to its center position.
To enjoy a more comfortable ride with smoother, more predictable handling, have the alignment on your vehicle restored to factory spec at the Capitol Subaru Service Center.
Capitol Subaru of Salem
920 Auto Group Ave NE
Salem, OR 97301
- Sales: 503-587-5500
- Service: 503-587-5500
- Parts: 503-587-5500
