Common Causes Of Alignment Issues
As we move into spring and millions of Americans take to the road for vacations, practices, and warm weather outings it is more important than ever to make sure that your car or truck is ready to handle the extra miles. The weather this winter was rough for many places in the country, with many areas experiencing dozens of freezes and thaws. This weather is uncomfortable for most people, but it is even more taxing on our roads. One of the most common problems that is caused by these worsening road conditions is wheel alignment issues, where your vehicle may be pulling in one direction, or your wheels could be pulling in different directions, causing your gas mileage to plummet. Luckily, you can get your alignment checked and all of your automotive needs taken care of in one quick trip here at one of your local Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers. Here are three common reasons why your vehicle could have alignment issues this spring.
Jarring Impacts
Your tires are connected by a small stress point on your axle, and if you take any jarring impacts, you could not only find your tires falling out of alignment, but you could see some serious axle damage as well. This can happen from everything as small as damage to your driveway to larger impacts like rolling over curbs or car accidents. If you have felt any major impacts while driving, you should make sure to get an alignment check next time you are in our shop.
Bad Roads
The winter isn’t just rough on your car, the cold weather, constant freezing and thawing, and even the salt treatments on the roads can easily tear up and cause serious damage to roads and highways. This road damage and corrosion oftentimes manifests in large potholes that can easily do damage to even the most durable of vehicles. We recommend that you try to avoid potholes as much as possible, as even a pothole as shallow as an inch deep can easily cause your tires to fall out of alignment or can even cause body damage to your vehicle.
Normal Wear & Modifications
Over the course of your vehicle’s life, almost every component in your vehicle will begin to wear out to varying degrees. Over the course of a few years of a few 10’s of thousands of miles, your suspension springs can become worn and slack. This will make your vehicle feel a bit more bouncy and can cause your tires to fall out of alignment. The best way to avoid this issue is by making sure that your suspension springs are still viable with regular maintenances. If you have ever raised or lowered your vehicle with aftermarket suspension parts, your vehicle will be more susceptible to these alignment issues as your vehicle is no longer sitting or riding at the height that it was designed to drive. If you are interested in getting your vehicle serviced and taken care of in one quick trip, visit one of your local Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers today.
