Wheel alignment can be overlooked by many vehicle owners but this has a big impact on the performance, safety and the longevity of your vehicle. When wheels are misaligned, it can lead to many issues and we will discuss this more in the article below.
A noticeable effect of misaligned wheels is uneven wear of tyres
When the wheels are not aligned properly, there will be uneven pressure on the tyres and this will cause the tyres to wear out unevenly. Feathering is something that occurs as a result of this. This is when the tread ribs on one side of the tyres show more wear than the other. There will be a series of smooth edges on one side and the other side will have sharp edges. Camber wear happens when there is excessive outward or inward tilt of the wheels. This will cause the inner or outer edges of the tyres to wear down much quicker than the rest of the tread. When the front of the tyres wear down more than the rear edges, this this called toe wear. This will lead to smooth rounded edges on one side and sharp edges on the other side. When there is uneven tyre wear, the lifespan of your tyres is reduced. This will compromise handling and traction and you will be faced with an increased risk of accidents.
Rolling resistance is increased with misaligned wheels
And this will need more energy to propel the vehicle forwards. You will see a drop in fuel efficiency as a result of this. In addition to costing you more money, this will contribute to environmental pollution as well because carbon emissions are increased. You can ensure regular tyre and wheel alignment to prevent this. You will then be able to optimise fuel efficiency and reduce your carbon footprint. You need to have proper wheel alignment to enjoy optimal handling and stability of the vehicle. When the wheels are not aligned properly, your vehicle may pull to one side especially when you are travelling at high speeds. This will affect steering control and compromise your safety and stability when braking suddenly or carrying out emergency manoeuvres.
Steering wheel vibration
Can also occur as a result of misaligned wheels which will lead you to become fatigued quicker. There is additional stress on the suspension components of your car when the wheels are misaligned. This affects components such as springs, struts and shocks. Improper wheel angles can lead to excessive bottoming out, bouncing and jolting that can contribute to premature wear and tear of the suspension parts. And it can lead to costly repairs in the long term as you will need to replace the suspension components as well. But when you carry out regular wheel alignment, weight is distributed across all four wheels and this will reduce the stress on the vehicle suspension system. There can be damage to the steering system of the vehicle as a result of misaligned wheels. When you drive for a long time on misaligned wheels, it can cause accelerated wear of steering components. This will lead to steering system failure.