A common question we receive is, “How often should I align my tires?” The simplest answer is once a year.
Proper tire alignment is crucial for several reasons, with the most significant being to extend the life of your tires. Here are a few additional reasons why tire alignment matters:
- Correct Alignment saves fuel. When your tires are aligned properly, they run straight and work together, reducing tire-to-ground friction, also known as the scrub radius. Less friction means your engine doesn’t have to work as hard to keep the car moving.
- Correct Alignment promotes longer tire life. Proper alignment ensures even tire tread wear, allowing your tires to last longer than those that wear unevenly. If your tires are unevenly worn, the more worn areas will lead to earlier replacement than you might expect.
- Correct Alignment provides a smoother, more comfortable ride. When your tires are aligned, your vehicle handles better, making driving, turning, and cornering much smoother. You want your car to track straight with minimal steering effort, especially at highway speeds. Misalignment can make you feel like you’re constantly fighting with your vehicle.
- Correct Alignment enhances safety. Misaligned tires can wear out quickly and may go unnoticed until they are worn down to the steel belts, which poses a risk of blowouts. Tire alignment can be disrupted by hitting potholes, curbs, or speed bumps.
As a general guideline, we recommend having your tire alignment checked annually and whenever you replace your tires.