Your Acura dealership makes it easy to manage car ownership tasks, such as performing routine vehicle maintenance services. One common maintenance task is tire alignment, which ensures all four of your wheels are pointed in the same direction by adjusting the suspension system. If your tires aren’t aligned, you may experience handling difficulty and reduced fuel efficiency. Learn how to spot the signs of misaligned tires so you can book service right away.
Five Signs Your Acura Needs a Tire Alignment at Your Acura Dealership
1. Uneven Tire Tread
Ideally, the tread on all four of your tires should wear down evenly. If your wheels aren’t aligned, then your tire tread can wear down in irregular patterns, such as the inner edge of the tire wearing away more quickly than the outer edge. You may notice this issue on one wheel or all four. In some cases, uneven tire tread can create a wavy pattern on the tires.
2. Pulling During Steering
When your wheels are correctly aligned, your vehicle will naturally want to drive straight with minimal steering guidance. However, if you notice that your vehicle tends to drift toward one side of the road or the steering wheel feels like it is “pulling” in one direction, your wheels might be improperly aligned.
3. Loud Tires
Loud tires are another sign that your wheels aren’t in alignment. Poorly aligned tires may squeal while you drive because the tire rubber is rubbing against the body frame of your vehicle. Your tires will typically make a loud noise when you aren’t using the brakes, and you may notice changes in the appearance of your tires. To avoid tire damage, you should schedule wheel alignment promptly.
4. Loose Handling
A bad wheel alignment may also make it feel like your vehicle is hard to control. Some drivers may experience a “loose” steering wheel or may feel like more effort is needed to steer the vehicle in a straight path because steering cues feel unresponsive. This is a major issue that can make it difficult to navigate the road safely, so professional alignment should be scheduled as soon as possible.
5. Crooked Steering Wheel
The appearance of your steering wheel can also be an indicator of poorly aligned wheels. If you see that your steering wheel is crooked when it should be in a neutral position, it’s likely because your wheels are tilted in the wrong direction. Sometimes, you may have a crooked steering wheel without any noticeable handling issues, while other times, a crooked steering wheel might be accompanied by shaking, vibrating, or pulling.
Correcting misaligned wheels is crucial for safe handling and preserving the life of your tires. If you have noticed any signs of poorly aligned wheels, schedule service at Open Road Acura of Wayne in Wayne, NJ.
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