Alignments: When to Get One, and Why they Benefit You

If there is one commonality on all roads across the USA, it is likely potholes and their uncanny ability to throw off your vehicle's alignment. Although potholes are not the only reason for your car going out of alignment, it is one of the most common reasons for it to happen. There are a few symptoms your car will give off that might lead you to believe that your alignment is off. One symptom is when your steering wheel does not stay straight entirely, and you have to adjust it one way to make the car steer straight. Another common sign is when your car "pulls" in one direction when holding the wheel still, or if it shimmys after going over a bump. A more long term symptom is a noticeable uneven wear pattern in your tires, suchas "cupping" on the edges. Typically, alignments should be done ANY time a new set of tires is put on, but should be checked about once a year. Consult with your local Bob Sumerel Tire location for further details on the benefits of a 4 wheel alignment.  Below are a few reasons why regular alignments can benefit your car!

• Hit a rough pothole? No problem! If you feel some of these symptoms after hitting a big pothole, you can always have your alignment checked to see if it is actually out! 
• Save on tire costs- A properly aligned vehicle will evoke an even wear in the tread of your tires. This can maximize the life of your rubber, and save you money in the long run! 
  
• Save at the pump- With a properly aligned vehicle, your car doesn't have to work as hard to get you rolling down the road. This low rolling resistance means less fuel wasted in having to work harder to turn your wheels!
• Easier and safer to drive- When your car is properly aligned, the steering is extremely precise. It takes the "guessing" out of steering and reduces the chance of oversteer or understeer when driving at highway speeds. 

Pictured to the right, you can find what a typical Hunter Alignment sheet looks like. Your local Bob Sumerel Tire technician will print these out, and run you through the various parts of the alignment. Note that all vehicles are different, and can require a much longer service time depending on the chassis of the vehicle. Typically, the bigger the vehicle, the longer it will take for an alignment to be performed. At Bob Sumerel, we use Hunter laser alignment systems, which is among the premium name when it comes to thrust angle alignments! So the next time those dreaded potholes take a toll on your vehicle's suspension...head into your local Bob Sumerel and they'll get you steering straight!

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