Wheel Alignment

When drivers in Elkhart, Indiana, need tire services, for example, wheel alignment and balancing, Hartland Auto Service is the shop most choose. Our service consultants and auto mechanics are certified, experienced, ready, and willing to service your car, truck, or SUV. 

What is Wheel Alignment?

Wheel alignment helps adjust the angle of the wheels to help your car drive straight without ‘pulling.’ Your car wheels should be parallel to each other and perpendicular to the road.

How Do Wheels Get Misaligned?

One of the main reasons why wheels get misaligned is careless driving by hitting a curb or potholes. While some drivers assume it is okay or the suspension system will take care of everything, that’s not the case. So be vigilant when parking or driving at all times.

Car wheels can get misaligned over time due to wear and tear of the steering and suspension parts. Therefore, car maintenance and repair are important, and checking wheel balancing and alignment is crucial.

Finally, car modifications can affect alignment. For example, height modification or fitting new steering or suspension parts affect alignment. Therefore, if you make any modifications, remember to align the wheels. Do not take chances because you could spend a lot of money.

Why is Wheel Alignment Important?

Besides affecting car handling, misalignment causes uneven tread wear on the tires. With uneven wear and tear, the tire reduces the grip, which could affect handling and/or cause an accident. It is also crucial to note that misalignment affects other car parts, such as suspension, steering, and braking systems. If the problem is not fixed, other car parts will wear out prematurely.

How Often Should You Have Your Car Wheels Aligned?

Consider having your car diagnosed and aligned every time you make modifications (regardless of how minor). At Hartland Auto Service, we recommend aligning the wheels once a year or at least after every 10,000 km. However, if you regularly drive on rough roads or have your car modified, consider having the wheels aligned regularly.

How Can You Tell the Wheels Are Misaligned?

Here are some of the ways you can easily know if your car’s wheel alignment is off:

Vibrating steering wheel

If the steering wheel does not centralize, the steering wheel should start returning to a straight position naturally after making a complete turn. If this does not happen, you have an alignment problem.

Drifting or pulling – if your car drifts in one direction and you have to try keeping it straight, the wheels are misaligned.

Squealing tires – due to uneven wear and tear, the wheel strays and squeals when taking a corner. If this happens a lot, you need to get the wheels aligned.

Get Wheel Alignment Services Today

At Hartland Auto Service, we provide top-notch wheel alignment services. We have been offering wheel alignment services to the residents of Elkhart, Indiana, for many years. Our mechanics are highly trained, experienced, and certified. We are a full-service auto repair in Elkhart, Indiana. For more information on our services, please get in touch with us today.