Tire Maintenance & Safety
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Tires are expensive, especially if you don’t maintain them. If you really want to get as many miles as possible on your tires then you need to make sure you practice routine maintenance. If you notice uneven wear on your tires, it might be time to get them aligned. A properly aligned car has better gas mileage and less risk of accidents.
How often should you get your tires aligned?
It’s important to monitor tire pressures at least once every two months. The recommended interval depends on the type of tire and whether you drive frequently. Check your car owner’s manual for specific guidelines. Tires wear down over time due to road conditions, weather, and driving habits. This causes uneven pressure between each wheel, which leads to vibrations and other problems. The result is premature tire failure.
How much does a tire alignment cost?
Tire alignment costs vary depending on the type of vehicle, its age, how often you take care of it, and where you live. In some states, such as New York, California, Florida, and Texas, alignments are free at auto repair shops. On the other hand, in places like North Dakota, South Carolina, and Vermont, they can run $50-$100.
The benefits of a tire alignment
Increased Performance: A properly aligned vehicle has better traction and control, especially at high speeds. The benefits of a well-aligned car include improved fuel economy, reduced noise levels and less vibration.
Fuel Efficiency: Accurately aligning your car's tires improves gas efficiency by as much as 3% per year. That means that after three years, your car will save $2,700 worth of fuel over its lifetime.
Longer tread life: Alignment is crucial to promoting a longer tread life, as misaligned tires promote uneven wear. By correcting your alignment after discovering an issue, you’ll be able to get more miles out of your tires.
Preventing damage: While a tire alignment might seem like it’s only impacting your tires, it does have benefits to other parts of your vehicle. Your suspension system, steering components, brakes, and many other parts are impacted by how your car is being driven, and a misaligned vehicle can cause additional wear and tear on these components.
Signs that you may need a tire alignment
Alignment might seem simple enough, but there are numerous variables that affect how well a vehicle performs. If you don’t get your alignment checked regularly, you risk damaging your suspension components or even causing accidents. But how do you know when it’s time to schedule an alignment? Here are a few warning signs that you may need a tire alignment:
- Uneven or rapid tire wear
- Steering wheel being crooked when you are driving straight.=
- Noisy Steering
- Pulling to the right or left
- Squealing tires
Additionally, be sure to regularly check your tires’ air pressure. Driving on the correct pressure will allow for consistent performance, and driving on over- or under-inflated tires can cause rapid or uneven wear that might lead to a blowout. Knowing that your tires are properly inflated will help you to determine whether or not a tire alignment is needed for your ride.
How to do a wheel alignment at home
A wheel alignment refers to adjusting the angle between the front and rear axles of a vehicle and ensures that the steering system of the vehicle operates properly. On average, a wheel alignment will take about an hour to complete but that could vary depending on the vehicle as it might be two-wheel or four-wheel drive. Additionally, completing a wheel alignment at home requires the correct equipment and adequate space to perform the task, both of which could change the time to complete the job.
Is it worth getting a tire alignment?
Tires are essential components of vehicles as they provide traction and stability during driving. Properly maintained tires also improve fuel efficiency and reduce wear and tear on other parts of the car.
The reason why you should get car alignment done is because it improves your car’s performance and efficiency while also fending off uneven wear. When tires are aligned correctly, they are able to roll smoothly without causing damage to the suspension system which means there is less wear and tear on your vehicle.
FAQs
While some vehicles require regular maintenance checks, others only need them every two years or less. The type of vehicle you drive also determines whether you need to check your alignment frequently.
A rear wheel alignment should only be done every three years or 25,000 miles. This means that you shouldn’t wait until the next time you get your oil changed before having your alignment checked.
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