Your mechanic may often recommend that an alignment service be performed on your vehicle and it’s a good idea to do so about every six months – or immediately if you’ve hit something that could have caused damage.
What exactly is the alignment? It is an important suspension-tuning tool that influences the operation of your vehicle's tires. The alignment of your car describes a complex system of suspension angles that are being measured and a variety of suspension components that are being adjusted.
Proper alignment is key to tire wear, comfort, and fuel efficiency.
How does your suspension alignment change?
Normal wear. Pot holes. Curbs. Minor accidents.
As your suspension parts wear, or any time your suspension takes a hit, whether by hitting a pot hole, a curb, or anything in a minor accident, it can cause the alignment to get knocked out of place. It’s important that wheels and tires are aligned. If they aren’t, you could be damaging your tires and affecting the vehicle’s handling characteristics.
Tire Performance
If the suspension is out of alignment, there is uneven pressure on the tires that can cause your car to work harder on the tires than it needs to. This happens because there is more resistance between the tire and the road surface.
That resistance can cause the tires to wear unevenly with the tires ultimately becoming worn on one side. It’s dangerous to drive on uneven tires, and it could force you to purchase tires sooner than you would have needed to with a proper alignment.
Comfort
When tires begin to wear unevenly, you may feel a vibration in the steering wheel. The tires may also produce more road noise when the tread is uneven.
Fuel Efficiency
Your car works harder when the tires wear unevenly. The harder the car works, the more fuel it burns. So when the tires are out of alignment and the tires begin to wear unevenly, the more money you end up paying in gas.
Alignment Verification System
Continental’s Alignment Verification System (AVS) technology gives you driving confidence and helps you save money down the road.
Vibrations in the steering wheel or free rolling steering wheels are clear indicators that the vehicle’s wheel alignment must be checked. However, small wheel misalignments often remain unnoticed which can result in unnecessary costs due to wear and tear of the tires, and increased fuel consumption.
Fortunately, innovative Alignment Verification System (AVS) technology from Continental - which provides an early warning system to drivers when it’s time to align their vehicle - helps to achieve the lowest overall driving costs.
Make sure to keep an eye on your alignment for a confident and comfortable ride. Not to mention, you’ll save money down the road!
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