Most people know their cars need maintenance like tire rotation and oil changes—but regular alignments are just as crucial. While many drivers see these issues as minor irritants, driving with poor alignment can turn an everyday trip into a costly repair. Read on to learn more about automotive alignment problems and how to solve them.
Driving Without Alignment: What’s It Like?
When a car is misaligned, its performance may decline by:
- Drifting to either side. Instead of staying in the center of the lane, your vehicle may move to the left or right—and re-centering might take extra effort.
- Shaking or vibrating. Your car may shake at certain speeds.
Alignment problems worsen with time, and they don’t go away without treatment. If your vehicle has an alignment issue, bring it in for auto repair in Spokane, WA on Monroe Street.
Do Potholes Affect Alignment?
Hitting a pothole can cause alignment issues that spread into other areas. Whether you’ve hit one big pothole or several small ones, it may damage the struts, suspension, and undercarriage. After hitting a pothole, stop by for an alignment check.
Will Hitting Curbs Misalign My Vehicle?
Hitting curbs isn’t just annoying; it can lead to severe alignment issues. It changes the way the wheels touch the road, affects steering and suspension travel, and damages struts, tires, and wheels. It doesn’t require a high-speed impact, either. If your steering wheel pulls to either side after hitting the curb, get the alignment checked.
How Long Can I Drive with an Alignment Problem?
While you can probably get away with it for a short time, driving with an alignment issue isn’t a good idea. Poor alignment, when left unaddressed, leads to premature tire wear, decreased fuel economy, and costly suspension repairs.
The length of time varies by vehicle, but in most instances, it’s best to get an alignment check every 5000 to 8000 miles. If you’ve hit a curb, run into a pothole, or had a fender-bender, you may need to visit us sooner.
Are Alignment Problems Serious?
Alignment issues don’t go away without treatment and not handling them quickly has serious implications. Minor problems are annoying, but they can turn into expensive and dangerous issues fast.
Don’t Delay, Get an Alignment Today
Although it’s okay to put it off for a little while, postponing alignment services for too long creates multiple issues, some of which are more serious than others. For instance:
- Tires will wear unevenly. Delaying alignment means excessive, uneven wear on tires. This shortens their lifespan and creates a bumpier ride.
- Your car will pull to the side. It might get harder to keep the vehicle centered in the lane as it pulls to the left or right.
- Suspension parts are at risk. Crucial components like control arms, ball joints, and tie rods may fail, creating dangerous roadside situations.
As we’ve shown, vehicle alignment plays a key role in safety, longevity, and ride quality. We make it easy for local drivers to get the most out of their vehicles. Drop by our convenient location or call to find out how an alignment will give you easier steering, better performance, and a smoother ride. Don’t put yourself at risk; schedule an appointment for an alignment check.
