Book A Front-End Alignment In Kingston: 5 Signs It’s Time
Driving with poor front-end alignment can really cost you. Consider this:
- Poor front end alignments compromise handling. If your wheels are misaligned, you will experience a dramatic drop-off in handling capability, which can make steering less predictable and increase the risks of a loss of control or collision.
- Poor front-end alignment can ruin your tires. Tires are designed to put rubber to the road in a very specific way, and poor front-end alignment keeps the contact patch from being used as intended. In fact, if the tow is off by even 1/16th of an inch, your tires will scrub almost 3.5 feet sideways for every kilometer you travel, which can shave years off your tire’s tread life, forcing you to fork over money for replacements much earlier than expected.
- Poor front-end alignment kills your fuel economy. According to one study by Bridgestone tires, improper front-end alignment can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 10%!
- Poor front-end alignment accelerates component wear-and-tear. As anyone driving with improper alignment will tell you, even slight misalignments can cause significant wheel shaking and vibrations, which travel through your steering and suspension systems and greatly accelerate component wear over time.
Obviously, it is in your best interest to correct any issues with your front-end alignment as soon as possible. Unfortunately, many drivers don’t know the telltale signs of alignment trouble; instead, they follow the manufacturer’s recommendation—typically once every 10,000km or so, or every other oil change—and assume that’s good enough.
But plenty of things can throw your tires out of alignment long before that service interval rolls around. For example, driving over potholes, hitting curbs or road debris, minor collisions, and driving with bad shocks and struts can all throw your toe, camber, and caster out of whack.
To stay safe and minimize your long-term auto expenses, it is essential that you know how to spot potential front end alignment problems, and John’s Auto Service is here to help.
Read on to learn 5 signs it’s time to book a front-end alignment service, or call (613) 542-8057 to speak directly with an alignment specialist in Kingston, ON.
When To Book An Alignment: Top-5 Telltale Signs Of Trouble
While it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s recommended schedule, you should always be on the lookout for the following 5 signs of alignment issues, especially after any impacts, tire changeovers, or encounters with road hazards:
- Your treads are worn smooth on one side. This uneven wear pattern is typically caused by camber misalignment. If the wear appears on the inside of the tire, you’re likely dealing with excessive negative camber, which means the top of the tire tilts inwards. If the wear appears on the outside of the tire, it is probably a case of excessive positive camber, which means your front tires are tilting too far outwards.
- Your steering wheel must be held off-center to travel straight. This is one of the most common and conspicuous signs of poor alignment. Drop by our shop or book an appointment online and we’ll straighten it out for you!
- Your vehicle pulls to the left or right. While uneven road conditions can cause you to drift one way or another, you’re likely dealing with a front-end alignment issue if this problem persists on level roads.
- Your steering wheel is shaking a lot. Some steering wheel vibration is to be expected, but if it’s happening a lot, even at lower speeds, you’re probably feeling your tires drag due to an alignment issue.
- Your tires are making a lot of noise. If your tires are squealing more than you’d expect them to, they’re probably not using the intended contact patch, and you should book an alignment as soon as possible, while you still have treads to save!
Book An Alignment In Kingston: Go Pro With John’s Auto Service
To book a free consultation with our techs and get a quote on any alignment service, call (613) 542-8057 or fill out our online contact form.