In 2020, a total of 664 people died in tire-related car crashes. Probably, the drivers could have avoided most of these accidents with proper tire maintenance. Moreover, the task most car owners neglect is wheel alignment. When you want a Kernersville wheel alignment shop with fast and friendly service, choose Havoline® Xpress Lube of Kernersville.

The Importance Of Properly Aligned Wheels

Unfortunately, many people take their cars for granted. As long as it starts in the morning and gets them to work, they’re happy. Yet, for many reasons, servicing every part of your car, including your tires, is crucial. Without properly aligned wheels you’ll experience several negative effects:

• Reduced fuel efficiency
• Poor handling
• Safety issues
• Shorter tire life

Generally, misaligned tires will drag across the road instead of rolling. Dragging tires cause intense friction. With this increased friction, the engine has to work harder to move the vehicle. Consequently, you’ll end up losing fuel efficiency.

Additionally, misaligned tires can’t grip the road properly. This affects your control over the vehicle. You may find your car drifting or your steering less responsive. Additionally, your car may skid during braking.

Moreover, a poor-handling car is challenging to drive, especially in adverse weather conditions. Hydroplaning, uncontrollable sliding on a wet surface, may become more frequent. All this adds up to an increased risk of an accident.

Finally, tires you’ve neglected to align properly will wear faster shortening their lifespan. Tires that slant off the manufacturer-designed alignment have tread that makes only partial contact with the road. Typically, the part of the tire touching the road will wear much, much faster than the rest of the wheel.

5 Signs You Probably Need A Wheel Alignment

Generally, manufacturers design cars with tires at an optimal angle for safety and fuel efficiency. The car’s wheels need to be at a right angle to the road and parallel to each other. Often, you can tell if your alignment is off by the following signs:

1. Excessive Or Uneven Tire Wear

Tires that don’t sit on the road properly due to misalignment will wear unevenly. Check your tire’s inner or outer edge to see if it’s wearing down faster than the inside tread.

2. Your Car Pulls To One Side

Properly aligned tires will keep the car centered because all the tires are pointing in the same direction. When your tires become misaligned, your tires tilt pulling the car to one side.

3. Steering Wheel Is Crooked

Usually, when your tires aren’t all pulling in the same direction, you’ll have to compensate in your steering. Thus, you’ll need to pull your steering wheel off-center to steer straight.

4. Squealing Tires

Generally, correctly aligned tires will roll across the road surface. When tires are misaligned, they can skid against the pavement as they try to gain traction. As the wheels skid, they produce a squealing noise.

5. You’ve Driven 6,000 Miles Since Your Last Alignment

Many experts recommend a tire alignment every year or 6,000 miles. Usually, the time frame depends on your vehicle, driving habits, and road conditions.

Always refer to your owner’s manual for your manufacturer’s recommended schedule. However, hitting curbs or potholes can easily put your tires out of alignment.

The Wheel Alignment Process

Typically, your technician will check 3 different angles on your tires: camber, caster, and toe. These terms refer to a particular position of the tires in reference to the car, each other, and the road. In addition, your mechanic will check vital suspension components to see if they need replacement.

Depending on your vehicle, your mechanic may perform a front end, thrust, or 4-wheel alignment. For example, some cars have solid rear axles that you can’t adjust. In these cases, your mechanic may perform a front-end alignment, servicing only the front tires. Usually, mechanics conduct this service only on older cars.

For modern cars with solid rear axles, the technician will do a thrust alignment. This involves properly aligning the front tires and squaring them with the back wheels.

Generally, mechanics perform a 4-wheel adjustment on those vehicles with adjustable rear suspensions. During this type of servicing, the mechanic adjusts all the tires on the vehicle to the manufacturer’s specifications.

Kernersville Wheel Alignment Shop – FAQs

Have questions about a Kernersville wheel alignment shop? We’ve got answers! Below we’ve answered a few of our most commonly asked questions.

How Much Does A Wheel Alignment Cost?

Often, car servicing costs are dependent on the type of vehicle you drive. Foreign or luxury cars tend to be more expensive due to their design.

Moreover, you may require extra services to fix an issue causing your tires to become misaligned. For example, any worn wheel bearings or shocks will also need replacing.

How Long Will A Wheel Alignment Take?

Typically, a wheel alignment can take between 30-60 minutes. However, if the mechanic discovers any broken or worn parts, you’ll need to replace these as well.

Can You Check My Oil, Too?

Absolutely! Havoline® Xpress Lube of Kernersville is a full-service auto shop servicing both foreign and domestic vehicles. When you bring your car to us, you’ll experience stellar customer service, competitive pricing, and these other great features:

• ASE certified technicians
• Customer rewards program
• General auto repair and maintenance
• NC state inspection
• Car washing/detailing services

Plus, we offer great car care tips on our Facebook and Instagram pages to keep your car running efficiently. If you’ve been searching for a trusted Kernersville wheel alignment shop, Havoline® Xpress Lube of Kernersville is your destination.