It is no surprise that your vehicle drives better when all the wheels are pointed in the same direction, and a wheel alignment can help with that! If your wheels are out of alignment you may notice that your vehicle pulls to one side or the other.
Something that you won't notice right away (but you will if you keep driving when you are out of alignment) is that your tires are wearing unevenly and quickly. This is because when the vehicle is pulling to one side, you must steer it back straight. The outside of the tire happens to wear out fast because you are constantly turning. The constant feeling of having to fight to keep your vehicle going straight down the road can be very tiring - especially on long trips!
A few things that commonly throw a wheel out of alignment are slamming into potholes, smacking a curb or even something like a rock. It does not have to be something large to make a big shock, it could even be a regular bump or bang of daily driving that can add up to eventually take your vehicle out of alignment. This is why your owner's manual or service advisor may suggest having your alignment checked periodically.
When performing an alignment service, we measure each wheel's alignment to see where they are relative to factory specifications. While we have the vehicle on the alignment rack, we inspect the tires for wear as well as the suspension and steering components for damage or wear (all things that can contribute to alignment problems).
If it has been a while since you have had your wheels aligned, bring your vehicle in for an alignment check.
Give us a call at 419-925-4329!
Chickasaw Garage Inc.