If you have questions about wheel alignments, we've got the answers! This service may not seem as important as an oil change, but it can have a big impact on the lifespan of your car and your tires. Plus, alignment can make your car safer to drive! Check out our answers to frequently asked questions about alignment below, and if your car is ready for this service, schedule an appointment at Rock Hill Nissan today.
Key Points
- Wheel alignment is the process of squaring a car's wheels to ensure tires wear evenly and the car handles smoothly and comfortably.
- Alignment shouldn't be skipped, as it makes a vehicle safer and helps elongate its lifespan.
- This service is recommended every few years, though alignment may be needed more frequently for performance models.
- An alignment can be necessary after a new set of tires is installed.
What is Wheel Alignment?
Wheel alignment is a process performed by professional mechanics that involves squaring the wheels of a vehicle and axles with each other to move a similar way. The procedure includes modifying the suspension to guarantee that the wheels are totally on center. The maker of a vehicle assigns standard plots for adjusting its tires.
The kind of alignment necessary for your vehicle relies upon its suspension framework and how it channels force towards the wheels. If you drive a four-wheel-drive or AWD vehicle, a four-wheel alignment is what you need. Then again, if your vehicle utilizes a front or back wheel-drive framework, it needs a thrust-angle or a front-end alignment.
Are Wheel Alignments Worth My Money?
Yes, this service is worth it. Wheel alignment is an important maintenance task that you shouldn't ignore. If your vehicle has misaligned wheels, there will be a drastic effect in your vehicle's handling. It'll continually pull one way, which can affect its capacity to move or turn. Because of this, driving not only becomes very uncomfortable, but it can also put you and your passengers at risk.
On top of this, misaligned wheels can cost you more money in the long run than if you pay for alignments on a regular schedule. Misaligned wheels may prompt tires to wear unevenly, which means you'll need to replace your tires more often. Additionally, misaligned wheels can lead to damaged wheel edges and suspension issues, negatively affecting your vehicle's performance and life span.
What are Symptoms of Wheel Misalignment?
- Symptoms indicating the need for wheel alignment include the following:
- Wheels pulling sharply in one direction
- Vibration in the steering wheel.
- Steering wheel off-center or crooked.
- Tires wearing unevenly.
How Frequently Should I Get an Alignment Done?
This depends on how often you drive, your driving style, and your specific vehicle. Most mechanics suggest an appropriate time for aligning your wheels is once every two or three years. Nonetheless, the best activity is to follow the suggested time interval in your owner’s manual.
If your owner's manual doesn't specify a time frame for alignments, reach out to our Nissan technicians for their advice. Usually, the wheel alignment of a vehicle will start to need adjustment after one or two years of you driving the car. However, if your vehicle is running smoothly on the road, isn’t drifting aside, or has tires that are uniformly worn, you don’t need to align your tires every year.
Additionally, there are certain situations where you might need to align your vehicle tires more frequently. Vehicles with more expensive tires or cars that are high-performance need more frequent wheel alignments.
Do New Tires Need to be Aligned?
Yes, we recommend having new tires aligned to ensure you get the longest possible lifespan out of them. Sometimes, the vehicle can become misaligned through the process of removing old tires and installing new ones. To give your new set a fresh start, don't skip the alignment. Have more questions about alignment and new tires? Our team will be happy to help.
Schedule Tire Alignment in Rock Hill
If it's time for an alignment or a new set of tires, visit the Rock Hill Nissan service center. Our team can install tires and perform wheel alignments quickly so you can get back to your routine ASAP. To help you save, we regularly offer specials on tires and alignments as part of our monthly service offers.