Wheel alignment is one of the most important maintenance tasks for keeping your car running smoothly, yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. Misalignment doesn’t just affect your tires—it impacts your vehicle’s handling, fuel efficiency, and safety.
However, despite its importance, many drivers believe in common myths that lead to unnecessary wear and tear on their vehicles.
In this blog, we’ll explore and debunk some of the most widespread misconceptions about wheel alignments to help you make informed decisions about your car’s health.
Myth 1: Wheel Alignments Are Only Necessary After Hitting a Pothole or Curb
One of the most persistent myths about wheel alignment is that you only need to get it checked after hitting something, like a pothole or curb. While it’s true that a significant impact can throw your wheels out of alignment, misalignment can also happen gradually over time, even under normal driving conditions. Everyday factors like driving on uneven roads, carrying heavy loads, or general wear and tear can affect your alignment.
Fact: Routine Alignment Checks Are Essential for All Drivers
Even if you haven’t had a major impact, it’s important to get your alignment checked regularly. Many manufacturers recommend having the alignment inspected every 6,000 to 10,000 miles, or once a year. This ensures that any small issues are caught early, preventing uneven tire wear and ensuring your vehicle handles properly.
Example: Imagine a driver who hasn’t hit any potholes but drives frequently on winding roads. Over time, the alignment may shift slightly, making the car more difficult to steer. A routine alignment check would catch this issue before it leads to more serious problems, such as poor handling or increased tire wear.
Myth 2: Vibrations Are Normal and Don’t Indicate Alignment Issues
Many drivers assume that vibrations while driving, especially at higher speeds, are normal and don’t necessarily indicate a problem with wheel alignment. In reality, vibrations are one of the clearest signs that your wheels may be misaligned.
Fact: Vibrations Are a Common Symptom of Misaligned Wheels
If you notice your car shaking or vibrating while driving, especially at higher speeds, it’s a sign that something is off. Vibrations are often caused by uneven tire wear, which occurs when the wheels are out of alignment. The tires no longer make proper contact with the road, which leads to a rough ride and reduced stability. Ignoring this issue can also put strain on your suspension system, leading to more costly repairs down the line.
Example: A customer came to 55 Car Garage with complaints about a persistent vibration at highway speeds. After a thorough inspection, our certified technicians discovered that the car’s wheels were out of alignment, causing uneven tire wear. After correcting the alignment, the vibrations disappeared, and the driver reported a much smoother ride.
Myth 3: Crooked Steering Wheels Are Just a Quirk of Older Cars
Another common misconception is that a slightly crooked steering wheel is no big deal, especially in older cars. Some drivers think it’s just a quirk that comes with age and wear, but in reality, it’s a major warning sign of misalignment.
Fact: A Crooked Steering Wheel Is a Sign of Misaligned Wheels
Your steering wheel should always be centered when driving straight. If it’s noticeably off-center, it’s likely because your wheels are out of alignment. This could be due to various factors, such as uneven tire wear, loose suspension parts, or even previous impacts that have shifted the wheels out of their proper positions.
Ignoring this issue can make steering more difficult and less precise, which can be dangerous, especially in emergency situations. Over time, a crooked steering wheel can also cause additional wear on your tires and other parts of the steering system.
Example: One of our customers at 55 Car Garage had been driving with a crooked steering wheel for months, thinking it was just due to the age of their car. After bringing it in for a routine check, our technicians found that the misalignment was causing unnecessary strain on the vehicle’s suspension system. After realigning the wheels, the steering wheel was straight again, and the vehicle’s handling improved significantly.
Myth 4: Wheel Alignments Are Too Expensive and Unnecessary
Some drivers believe that wheel alignments are an expensive, unnecessary service, especially if their car seems to be driving fine. However, this is one of the most dangerous misconceptions.
Fact: Wheel Alignments Are Cost-Effective and Save You Money in the Long Run
While it may seem like a wheel alignment is an added expense, the truth is that it can save you significant money over time. Misaligned wheels cause uneven tire wear, which means you’ll have to replace your tires more frequently. Misalignment also forces your engine to work harder, reducing fuel efficiency and increasing wear on your suspension system.
By investing in regular alignments, you’ll avoid the high costs of frequent tire replacements, lower your fuel consumption, and prevent damage to other critical vehicle components. In the long run, this preventive maintenance is far more cost-effective than dealing with the consequences of ignored alignment issues.
Example: A customer who hadn’t had an alignment check in years came to us at 55 Car Garage with severely uneven tire wear and poor fuel efficiency. After performing a proper wheel alignment, the customer’s fuel economy improved by nearly 10%, and they no longer needed to replace their tires as frequently. This simple service ended up saving them hundreds of dollars.
Myth 5: Wheel Alignment Is Only About Adjusting the Tires
Some people mistakenly think that wheel alignment is only about adjusting the tires, when in fact, it involves much more than that.
Fact: Alignment Affects the Entire Suspension System
When we talk about wheel alignment, we’re not just adjusting the tires—we’re making sure the entire suspension system is working properly. Misalignment can affect the angle of your wheels, how they connect to the axles, and how the suspension components interact. If any part of the system is off, it can lead to uneven tire wear, poor handling, and reduced vehicle safety.
At 55 Car Garage, our technicians perform a full alignment check, ensuring that every component of your vehicle’s suspension system is properly aligned and functioning as it should.
Wheel alignment is a critical aspect of vehicle maintenance that’s often misunderstood. Whether it’s the misconception that alignments are only necessary after hitting a pothole or the belief that they’re too expensive, these myths can lead to costly consequences for your vehicle.
At 55 Car Garage, we provide expert wheel alignment services to keep your car running smoothly. Regular wheel alignments improve handling, extend the life of your tires, and ultimately save you money in the long run. Don’t wait for the signs of misalignment to become major problems—schedule an alignment check with us today and experience the difference that professional service can make!
