Signs Your Alignment Is Off and Why It Matters

What alignment actually does

Wheel alignment refers to the angle at which your tyres make contact with the road. When it's set correctly, your vehicle tracks straight, your tyres wear evenly, and your steering feels predictable. When it's off, you start noticing problems that get worse over time if you ignore them.

Signs to look for

The most common sign is your vehicle pulling to one side when you let go of the steering wheel on a straight road. Another is uneven tyre wear, where the inside or outside edge of a tyre wears down faster than the rest of the tread. You might also notice your steering wheel sitting crooked when you're going straight, or a vibration through the wheel at highway speeds.

What causes it to go out

Hitting a pothole hard enough is the most common cause, especially on Ontario roads in spring. Curb strikes, even minor ones in a parking lot, can knock your alignment off. Worn suspension components like tie rod ends and ball joints also affect alignment over time. It doesn't always take a big impact.

Why you shouldn't ignore it

Bad alignment eats tyres. A set of tyres that should last 80,000 km can be ruined in half that distance if your vehicle is consistently out of spec. It also puts extra stress on steering and suspension parts, which adds up in repair costs. Fuel economy takes a hit too since the vehicle has to work harder to move in a straight line.

How we fix it

We check all four wheels against manufacturer specifications and adjust the angles to bring everything back into spec. Most alignments take under an hour. If we find worn components that are causing the problem, we'll let you know before doing anything. Book at 613-354-4200 or stop in at 453 Advance Ave, Napanee.