Do you ever find that your vehicle seems to veer (move by itself as if it had a mind of its own), even slightly, to the left or to the right? If so, this could be the result of poor wheel alignment. This is both a simple yet urgently needed fix when driving in the rain or when taking a long distance drive on the highway. Not only will an alignment make for a smoother and safer ride, but it will also extend the lifespan of your tires.
Why wheel alignment matters in wet weather
When your car is first manufactured, the wheels are aligned, tested, adjusted and ultimately verified at the factory. In a brand new vehicle there shouldn’t be any problem with wheel alignment. But over time, most drivers will find that their wheels fall out of alignment.
There are various reasons for this, most of which have to do with driving conditions.
· Driving down a poorly maintained road which is common in Klang Valley can cause wheels to become misaligned.
· Driving badlydown these roads can make things worse.
· Hitting potholes and running into curbs can also affect your tire alignment.
Wheel alignment issues may not be noticeable at first but damage can still be occurring. When tires are even slightly out of alignment, it can accelerate uneven wear and tear on your tires. This means your tires won’t be performing as well as they should be, and you might have to spend money to have those tires replaced sooner than expected.
Getting your wheels aligned
Ultimately, there are several benefits to having your wheels aligned regularly:
- Your tires will last longer.
- Your vehicle will drive smoother.
- Your wheels will point in the right direction, which means you can drive on the open highway without worry.
- Your car will take less energy to keep going, which can save you money at the petrol pump.
- Your car will handle better, which means it will be safer and you can avoid a mishap like in this picture below.
Unfortunately, there is no definite way to tell when your tires are out of alignment until you take your vehicle to a trusted tire shop.
If too much time passes and the misalignment becomes so bad that the car no longer drives in a straight line, considerable tire damage has already been done.
This is why it is best to have your vehicle inspected regularly.
