Signs your wheels are out of alignment

Signs your wheels are out of alignment 

Wheel alignment can affect many areas of your vehicle, including safety and the overall driving experience. However, what does it actually mean to be out of alignment?

The answer might surprise you. Having wheels being out of alignment is what happens when you have an issue with your suspension settings. While the wheels don’t actually need fixing, something has knocked your suspension off track, where a service center is required to adjust the wheel angle to create a more efficient contact patch for your tires.

If you feel your vehicle is tracking a bit wonkily lately, it may be a good time to call one of our Hendrick Automotive Group service advisors for a consultation and set up an appointment.

So, what are the signs you many need to make that call?

UNEVEN WEAR: A telltale sign that your vehicle may be out of alignment is uneven tire wear, resulting in decreased handling and stability, increased wear and tear on your tires and impaired handling and safety. That increased tire wear also creates additional road resistance, hurting your vehicle’s fuel mileage.

SIDE RESISTENCE: If you are pulling to one side when in motion, your vehicle is more than likely out of alignment. Consistently holding the wheel so your vehicle won’t drift one way or the other can place a heavy burden on your tires and in some cases, become a safety hazard for you and your family. Another sign is that your wheels could experience uneven wear either towards the inside or outside of the contact patch.

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STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION: When driving down the road, if you feel the steering wheel vibrating, you may just need a wheel alignment. This problem can often keep you from tracking in a straight line and place an additional burden on your wheels and tires.

UNUSUAL NOISES: If your vehicle seems to be creaking, clunking or making unusual noises while driving on a traditionally smooth road – it may be that your vehicle is telling you something. It could be out of alignment and costing you money through wear and tear.

UNEVEN TIRE WEAR: Take a look at your tire wear, and if you notice that either side is more worn the other, you may have a wheel-alignment problem. Not only is this causing a vibration, and creating premature tire wear, it could be cause safety concern as well.

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Warning signs that your vehicle can be out of alignment can be both hazardous and cost you a lot of money. If you sense that your vehicle is tracking in the right way, please reach out to a service advisor and schedule an appointment.