When should I check my wheel alignment?

If you notice that your vehicle pulls significantly to the left or right when you are traveling on a straight, flat road with little cross-wind, or your tires are wearing abnormally, then your wheel alignment may require adjustment. You should therefore take your vehicle to Krishna Tyre Trader or a reputable garage to have its wheel alignment checked. This is a simple process, which may require slight adjustment of front and/or rear suspension components. If your vehicle’s wheels are not properly aligned, this can cause abnormal wearing of the tires.

Always have your vehicle’s alignment checked when:

•    Your vehicle has hit something (e.g. a kerb or major road hazard).
•    You notice that your tires are wearing abnormally or unevenly.
•    You experience steering or handling problems, such as: 
      •  Your vehicle pulls or drifts to one side.
      •  Your steering wheel does not return easily after a turn.
      •  Your steering wheel remains at an angle when driving in a straight line.

•    When you buy a new set of tires and want them to last as long as possible.
•    When you replace suspension or steering components.

Why is wheel alignment important?

Wheel alignment can affect the amount of wear and tear that tires endure. The normal alignment on most vehicles is designed to minimize wear and tear and maximize driver and passenger comfort. The correct four-wheel alignment will reduce wear on your tires, help increase their life and performance, and improve fuel economy.  It will also improve handling and driving safety by reducing steering and stability problems.

Why does wheel misalignment happen?

Misalignment can occur when hitting a kerb or driving through a pothole, as well as in more severe circumstances like accidents, which can knock your vehicle’s suspension out of alignment. Misalignment can also happen as suspension components wear or when they are replaced. When wheel alignment is incorrect, rapid tire wear can occur especially on the edge of the tires, and vehicle handling can also be adversely affected. It almost certainly means that you will have to replace your tires earlier than expected.

It takes only a small misalignment to create problems

The purpose of a correct wheel alignment is to provide optimum vehicle handling and to maximize the life of the tires.

The main reasons for having correct wheel alignment are:

•    It can save you money, as tire replacements are required less frequently.
•    Your tires will last longer.
•    Your vehicle handling will be optimized.
•    Your vehicle will drive smoother with less tire rolling resistance.

How long does it take to realign my wheels and what does it cost?

Most front and rear alignment problems can be solved in about 30 minutes. Use the Michelin Dealer Locator to find your nearest dealer to check for wheel alignment costs. Wheel alignment is all about checking the direction and angle at which the wheels are set against your vehicle manufacturer’s specifications. Even though you may hear expressions like toe-in, toe-out, positive camber, or negative camber, wheel alignment itself is not complex. In fact, adjusting wheel alignment is actually a very straightforward operation.

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