How Often Should I Have My Wheels Aligned?

 Wheel alignments are an essential part of vehicle maintenance that helps to keep your car driving straight and true, reducing wear and tear on your tires and improving overall safety. But how often should you get a wheel alignment, and why is it important?

First, it’s important to understand what a wheel alignment is and why it’s necessary. A wheel alignment involves adjusting the angles of the wheels so that they are perpendicular to the road and parallel to each other. This helps to ensure that your car drives straight and minimizes wear and tear on your tires, which can prolong their life and improve your fuel efficiency.

So, how often should you get a wheel alignment? The answer to this question depends on several factors, including your driving habits, the type of roads you drive on, and the age and condition of your vehicle. Here are some general guidelines to help you determine when it’s time for a wheel alignment:

gray car on alignment rack
Target of the car wheel angle adjustment equipment fixed on a car wheel

Scheduled wheel alignments

Over time, the sensitive and precisely-aligned components in your suspension system will begin to fall out of alignment, causing issues such as reduced handling performance, reduced fuel efficiency, increased suspension wear, and could lead to the vehicle veering to the side when driving straight.

In general, it’s a good idea to have your wheels aligned around every 12,000-15,000 miles, roughly every year or so for the average driver.

After hitting a curb or pothole

If you hit a curb or pothole, it can knock your wheels out of alignment. If you feel your car pulling to one side after hitting something like this, it’s a good idea to have your alignment checked.
Every two years: If you drive your car regularly, it’s a good idea to have a wheel alignment done every two years as part of your regular vehicle maintenance.

After new tires

If you’ve recently had new tires installed, it’s a good idea to have a wheel alignment done. New tires can sometimes change the alignment of your wheels, and getting an alignment will help to prolong the life of your new tires.

If you feel vibrations

If you’re feeling vibrations in your steering wheel or seats, it could be a sign that your wheels are out of alignment. If this is the case, it’s important to have your alignment checked as soon as possible.

Import Vehicle Wheel Alignment Services in Tucson, AZ

A wheel alignment is an important part of vehicle maintenance that helps to keep your car safer on the road. By following these guidelines, you can determine when it’s time for a wheel alignment and ensure that your car is running smoothly. Here at Micro Import Service in Tucson, we understand the importance of proper wheel alignment for your vehicle. Our experienced technicians and precise equipment ensure that your wheels are aligned to factory specifications, resulting in a smoother ride, improved handling, and longer tire life.