5 Tips to Extend Your Tire Alignment
Keeping your tires in alignment is important because it helps your car drive smoothly and safely. When your wheels are properly aligned, your tires wear evenly, helping them last longer and improving your fuel efficiency.
Misalignment, on the other hand, can cause your vehicle to pull to one side, which strains the tires, your suspension, and can even pull your steering wheel off center. This makes your car harder to control, especially in bad weather like rain or snow.
By keeping your vehicle alignment in check, you’re not only protecting your tires and saving money, but also making sure your ride stays safe and comfortable. Learn 5 tips to protect your tire alignment for better savings, a smoother ride, and overall safety.
Need a Wheel Alignment? Call Lisbon Auto Center in Maryland Today
1. Protect Your Wheel Alignment By Monitoring Your Tire Pressure
Tire pressure is a small thing that does a lot for the safety and maintenance of your vehicle. By regularly checking and maintaining your tire pressure, you keep your tires evenly inflated for a smooth, balanced ride.
Underinflated or overinflated tires will gently move your car out of alignment over time, even leading to a decrease in fuel efficiency as well as affecting steering and comfort.
To Do: Check your tire pressure monthly and follow the recommended PSI for your vehicle. If you notice any tire leaks or damage, fix them ASAP either with a DIY kit or by contacting Lisbon Auto Repair for tire repairs near you in Maryland.
2. Drive Safely and Avoid Potholes
We know that road conditions near Baltimore and down 70 aren’t always the best – and this can actually dramatically affect your wheel alignment. Potholes, uneven asphalt, and other road work conditions can knock your tires out of alignment.
When possible, avoid harsh conditions, and when driving through construction, maintain a slow and steady speed. When parking, avoid hitting curbs, as this can jostle your tires and damage your suspension.
Remember: Slow and steady wins the race, so have patience, be mindful, and slower speeds will help prevent lasting damage.
3. Schedule Regular Tire Rotations
Did you know that drivers make more right turns than left turns? And that the right-hand side of the car will encounter more dips and debris because it is closer to the curb and drainage?
These small things add up and cause your tires to wear unevenly. This is why regular tire rotations are important. Maryland auto shops near Frederick and Baltimore can help with tire rotation appointments to help maintain even wear and tear.
How Does It Help? Your wheels will go out of alignment if your tread becomes uneven. Even slight variations will cause the car to tilt subtly. As the miles add up, this pulls the alignment to one side or another.
4. Don’t Ignore Suspension Repairs
Worn shocks, struts, or ball joints can impact your wheel alignment. If you notice signs of your car bouncing, jostling, or swaying, this could mean your suspension parts are due for repairs. If ignored, a damaged suspension will pull the alignment off completely, leading to dangerous driving and increased auto repair costs.
Look for signs you need suspension repairs: bouncy or rough rides, dipping when braking or accelerating, the steering wheel pulls to one side, or you hear clunking noises over bumps.
5. Avoid Overloading the Weight Limit of Your Vehicle
Yes, your vehicle has a weight limit, and it needs to be maintained in order to protect your alignment, wheels, tires, suspension, and more. Overloading a vehicle with too many people, items, furniture, or other cargo can damage the vehicle, especially if this is done repeatedly over time.
Be mindful of how much weight you put on your vehicle and always distribute weight evenly. Don’t only load one side of your car or truck, but make it even. Consider this when carrying suitcases, coolers, moving boxes, furniture, people, pets, and other items.
Knowing the weight your vehicle can handle: Check your handbook for the recommended weight capacity of your vehicle; you may think you will never get close, but vacations, road trips, and moving can put more strain on a vehicle than you would think.
Warning Signs You Need an Alignment
- Steering wheel pulls to one side
- Vibrations in the steering wheel
- Steering feels loose
- Crooked steering wheel
- Uneven tire wear
- Worsening fuel efficiency
Schedule a Wheel Alignment Today
Lisbon Auto Repair Center between Frederick, MD and Baltimore, MD offers four wheel alignment services. Call today, make an appointment, and we’ll have you back safely on the road in no time. You’ll notice a smoother ride, safer driving, and easier steering.
Car maintenance doesn’t have to be tricky or expensive. We’re here to help. Call today.
