Learning About Vehicle Maintenance

How Your Wheel Alignment Might Be Affecting Your Tires

20 July 2023

Nicolas Denys

Replacing tires isn't cheap! If your purchase good-quality tires for your vehicle, a complete set may cost a thousand dollars or more. While your tires should last for many miles, getting the most out of a new set of rubber requires even wear. Uneven wear on your tires can create unpredictable handling, increase the likelihood of major failures, or reduce the lifespan of the treads. 

Many factors can affect how your tires wear, but wheel alignment is one major issue many drivers overlook. Keep reading to learn why wheel alignment and tire wear are so closely connected and how you can recognize the warning signs that your car's alignment may be forcing you to replace your tires more often than necessary.

Understanding the Basics of Wheel Alignment

Many drivers know that their cars require occasional alignment. However, people often don't think about alignment until they notice their vehicle drifting left or right. This symptom indicates a major problem with your car's alignment, but more subtle symptoms can begin to appear before you notice substantial drifting.

Wheel alignment refers to adjustments that keep your vehicle's wheels pointed within manufacturer specifications, although keeping them aligned doesn't necessarily mean keeping them straight. Manufacturers select particular angles for the wheels on their vehicles to balance steering responsiveness, tire wear, and other important factors.

As your alignment falls out of spec due to damage or normal suspension wear and tear, you will often notice numerous minor symptoms. These symptoms can include vibrations in the steering wheel or a change in steering feel. Once the alignment drifts far enough out of spec, you'll usually find that dead center on your steering wheel no longer keeps your vehicle traveling in a straight direction.

Recognizing How Alignment Affects Your Tires

Of course, one symptom that's harder to notice is unusual wear on your tire treads. Wheel alignment that falls well outside manufacturer specifications can cause your tires to "drag" across the pavement as your car travels. You may notice more wear on your tires' inside or outside edges depending on the specific alignment issues.

Unfortunately, there is no easy remedy for a tire that wears this way. Once the wear is severe enough, the only option is to replace the tire. Of course, a better option is to monitor your vehicle for symptoms of alignment problems. Nearly all vehicles will suffer alignment drift over time, so recognizing and addressing these issues is crucial to protecting your tires.

Treating wheel alignment as a routine maintenance service is often the best option for most drivers. While there isn't a one-size-fits-all rule, good options include scheduling a wheel alignment with every other oil change or at least once yearly. Keeping your wheels alignment will ensure your tires wear evenly and help you avoid a variety of potentially dangerous drivability issues.

Reach out to a company like #Chrome to learn more.

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