An incorrect wheel alignment can lead to all kinds of problems behind the wheel. An accurately aligned car will feel stable and surefooted, while an incorrectly aligned car can lead to dangerous driving conditions.
Here are 5 of the most common problems that incorrect wheel alignment can cause…
1. Increased tire wear
It is not surprising that tire wear will accelerate if your wheels don’t point in the same direction.
Excessive toe (either inside or outside) is the most common cause. This causes uneven wear across the tire and can also lead to faster wear at the edges.
2. Performance reduction
For optimal performance, ensure that there is a minimum contact area between the tires and the road.
An incorrect wheel alignment can reduce the contact area between your tires, the road and your brake and cornering performance.
If the front wheels don’t align, it will take extra effort to push the tires along the road. Imagine rolling the wheel with the tire and wheel down a straight line on the road. It’s easy to do, and the wheel will move freely.
Imagine turning the wheel at 45 degrees and trying to move along the same line. It will take more effort to push the wheel since it naturally wants to turn differently. The same applies if the car’s toe in/out settings are incorrect.
3. Pulling to one Side
A common problem with wheel alignment is the tendency for the car to pull to one Side.
The car will pull to one Side if the front wheels are toeing in (pointing away from one another) because the other wheel is trying to turn a corner when it is in the dead ahead position.
4. Increased fuel consumption
If the wheels are not aligned correctly and require more effort to turn, the car’s fuel consumption will also increase.
The wheels should be aligned properly so that no power is lost. This helps to overcome misalignment problems and improves fuel economy.
5. Instability
Worst case, the misalignment could cause the car to become very nervous and twitchy at high speeds.
The cure
You can avoid these problems by making sure your car’s wheels are properly aligned. Most garages can do this for a very small fee (around PS30 to align the front wheels, or PS60-70 for full alignment of all four wheels). The adjustments will ensure that your wheels are in perfect alignment. This is a worthwhile investment that will give you a stable and confident car with better fuel economy and less tire wear.