Specifically, two things affect your automobile’s wheel alignment: maintenance and road hazards. If you fail to maintain your vehicle’s wheels, they will eventually become misaligned. Generally, the wheels should be realigned every one to two years. You should not go longer than two years. Cergizan’s Auto & Truck Repair can realign your wheels when they need it. We are also going to list the common road hazards that knock your wheels out of alignment below.
Accidents
Even minor automobile accidents can affect your wheel alignment. It’s important to have the alignment checked after you’ve been in a fender-bender. In fact, it’s a good idea to have your vehicle inspected thoroughly to make sure there isn’t any hidden damage.
Bumps
Naturally, bumps in the road can affect your wheel alignment if they are severe enough. As such, keep a wary eye on the road ahead of you and avoid bumps when you can. If you must drive over them, take it slow no matter how angry it makes the drivers behind you.
Construction
Road construction can also knock your wheels out of alignment if the road is torn up severely. It’s also important to slow down when you go over construction covers. This is one reason why construction zone speed limits are much slower than the average speed limit on the road.
Curbs
Curbs definitely knock your wheels out of alignment when you hit them. It’s easy to hit them if you aren’t paying attention when you turn around a corner. It’s also easy to hit them when you parallel park. Slow down and take it easy when you are approaching a curb.
Markers
If you pull into parking spaces until your wheels hit the concrete marker, you could be slowly knocking them out of alignment. Don’t allow your wheels to touch the marker. Rather, pull into the space slowly and stop before your wheels make contact with the marker.
Potholes
One of the most dangerous things for your alignment, tires, and suspension is potholes. These things jar your wheels in many different directions at once. Go through potholes as slowly as possible. Again, don’t worry about the drivers behind you.
Speed Bumps
Finally, the maximum speed at which you should drive over speed bumps is 5 MPH. Driving any faster than that can damage your suspension and knock your wheels out of alignment. Slow down for speed bumps to avoid this unnecessary damage.
Again, Cergizan’s Auto & Truck Repair in Chesterton, IN, can realign your wheels if they need it. Call us today to schedule an appointment.