Debunk These 5 Wheel Alignment Myths—Get the Right Facts!

 

If a driver is reading an article about wheel alignment, he may come across much contradictory advice regarding wheel alignment. Some may sound outdated. The driver may find a few facts plausible. However, car technicians may prove them to be wrong. Wheel alignment has a major impact on tyre life and handling, fuel economy, etc. When drivers lack basic knowledge about wheel alignment, it can actually do more damage than good. The vehicle can suffer from unnecessary wear resulting in uninvited costs. The informative article aims to debunk five wheel alignment myths and present facts about wheel alignment which every driver needs to know.

Myth 1: Wheel Alignment Matters After Encountering a Pothole

The first common belief is that if the driver has sped over a kerb, pothole, or speed bump, he will need a wheel alignment. The truth is that gradual wheel misalignment occurs over a period of time. During this period, the driver may or may not have driven over a pothole, kerb, etc. Car experts will share a vital fact that daily commuting slowly changes the wheel angles. The reasons could be wear and tear on suspension parts, bumpy roads, and even overloading the vehicle beyond its capacity. If the driver feels his vehicle is dragging to the right side of the road frequently, especially after speeding over a pothole. He should book a wheel alignment Bristol check immediately.

Myth 2: Wheel Alignment & Wheel Balancing Are the Same

This myth makes even a smart driver confused. Some garage technicians cannot explain the basic differences between the two concepts. However, the truth is wheel alignment and wheel balancing are two different services. A wheel alignment is the process of adjusting a vehicle’s angles on the road, with respect to each other and also with respect to the road. A wheel balancing is process of uniformly of distributing a weight of the wheel with a tyre. Wheel alignment affects steering and tyre degradation. Wheel balancing affects comfortable driving and vibration when the driver is driving at high speeds. They would have a tough time understanding what the vehicle is softly signalling. E.g. if the car shakes when travelling at a fast speed. This is a wheel balancing issue. On the other hand, if the vehicle is dragging to a particular side of the road. This is a wheel alignment problem.

Myth 3: If the Vehicle Is Being Driven Straight, Wheel Alignment Is Good

A lot of drivers feel that when the vehicle can be driven straight on the road, and the steering wheel feels normal. There are no issues. The truth is, even when the driver is driving his vehicle straight on the road, he can suffer from wheel misalignment. Suspension systems can cover alignment problems for some time. A small level of misalignment can create issues, explained below:

• Irregular tyre wear
• Low fuel efficiency
• Inability to handle emergencies
• Stress on suspension parts

When the driver finally recognises the problem, it is time to buy a new set of tyres. The best solution will be to include a wheel alignment service during periodic vehicle servicing. Preventive care is always less costly than reactive care.

 Myth 4: Wheel Alignment Is Not Essential for Fuel Economy

Another regular wheel alignment myth is that wheel alignment affects tyres and steering misalignment, not monthly vehicle expenses. The truth is wheel alignment increases rolling friction. The engine works harder to move forward. This condition leads to:

• Increased fuel consumption
• Enhanced CO₂ emissions
• Acute strain on the engine

Wheel alignment is not dramatic, like mechanical failure. But even little misalignment makes fuel expenses go up. This is very crucial in the current scenario where fuel prices have been rising over a period of time.

Myth 5: Wheel Alignment Isn’t Required for the MOT Test

Another myth is that wheel alignment is checked or corrected before an MOT Bristol. Hence, no extra care is required. Wheel alignment is not part of an MOT exam. However, the MOT concentrates on safety parts of a vehicle, such as brakes, emissions, lights, tyres, etc. Thus, the vehicle can pass the MOT exam with a misaligned wheel. This condition will create premature wear on tyres and decrease the driver’s handling stability. Suspension issues also surface after some time. The right thing to do is include wheel alignment service during a pre-MOT servicing or during periodic vehicle care.

Signs a Car Needs Wheel Alignment Right Away

Wheels send silent signals that they are misaligned. Some of the signs are explained below:

• Premature tyre wear.
• The steering wheel is misaligned.
• The vehicle is drifting to a particular side of the road.
• The driver hears squealing sounds when making a turn.
• The vehicle becomes unstable when driven at high speeds.

How Often Can Alignment Be Checked?

The tyre experts will advise checking wheel alignment after every six thousand to ten thousand miles travelled, once a year, after hitting a pothole, when installing new tyres, etc. However, if the vehicle has high mileage, wheel alignment should be checked once in six months.

Conclusion

Drivers tend to believe the above popular five wheel alignment myths. This leads them to incur unwanted costly repair bills, premature tyre wear, and higher fuel consumption. A wise decision will be to integrate wheel alignment services with preventive vehicle care servicing. Apart from saving money, the driver will be more comfortable when driving his vehicle confidently on a daily basis.