Improper wheel alignment can affect driving performance and cause costly suspension problems. Four-wheel alignment solves handling problems by referencing all wheels to a common centerline—the front tires steer and the rear tires direct. Here are some more benefits of regular wheel alignment:
Improves gas mileage. Proper alignment decreases any resistance while rolling.
Reduces tire wear. If your tires aren’t rolling straight and are being dragged in the wrong direction, they’ll wear more quickly and you’ll have to replace them more often.
Improves safety. A four-wheel alignment reduces steering and tracking problems, which can help drivers prevent or avoid accidents.
For regular maintenance, it’s important to follow your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations. As a general rule, you should check your wheel alignment and tires every 10,000 miles, or at least once per year.
Brad McClure, owner of BTM Motorwerks in Campbell, says one of the best ways to keep your car in good shape is to change its oil regularly, even more often than the manufacturer recommends. “Think of it as 1,000 miles for every liter of oil in your engine. If your car takes eight liters of oil, you should change it every 8,000 miles. It used to be every 3,000 miles, but new synthetic oils allow you to go longer than that.”
