Wheels out of alignment damage the tires and suspension. Misaligned wheels also make it difficult to control your car, truck, crossover, or SUV. Signs your wheels are misaligned include the automobile pulling to the right or left or an off-center steering wheel. How did your wheels get misaligned? Mike’s Auto Service & Repair lists common reasons for misaligned wheels below.
Potholes
If you drive on roads that aren’t cared for properly, and many of them aren’t, you probably deal with potholes. Hitting potholes too fast or driving over them constantly, of which you may not have a choice depending on the roads you drive on, can knock your wheels out of alignment. Potholes, especially deep ones, wreak havoc on your wheels, especially since only one or two of your wheels run over them.
Parking Lot Markers
Do you have a bad habit of pulling up to the concrete marker in a parking space until your tires touch it? This action can knock your wheels out of alignment, as can hitting the concrete rectangles too fast or driving over them. Any jolt you put on your wheels affects their alignment, so pull into parking spaces carefully and stop before you hit the marker. These concrete blocks are rough on your wheels.
Curbs
Another alignment killer is curbs. If you’re in a rush, paying attention to something other than the road, or even bad about navigating around curbs, every time you hit one you knock that wheel out of alignment. At first, you might not notice a difference in how your vehicle handles after hitting the curb, but over time, you’ll start to feel the consequences of hitting curbs. Be careful when close to curbs.
Speed Bumps
Speed bumps are also torture for your wheels. This is why it is recommended that you should drive over speed bumps no faster than 5 miles-per-hour. It’s best to go even slower on steep ones – barely creep over them. Think of the shock your ankles and knees would experience if your feet suddenly bounced upward. Your wheels and suspension feel that shock if you drive over speed bumps too fast.
Finally, an automobile accident can also knock your wheels out of alignment – even a tiny fender-bender. Located in West Springfield, MA, Mike’s Auto Service & Repair would be happy to check your wheel alignment and realign your wheels if they need it. We can also balance your tires. Call us today to schedule an appointment. We’ll have back on the road, aligned, in no time.
