Speed Bumps, Pot Holes, and More: What's Hurting Your Wheel Alignment?

Wheel alignment is an important aspect for your Land Rover, and it involves keeping the wheels perpendicular to the road. It also ensures that each wheel of the car is parallel to the others. Many of us don't realise how important wheel alignment is to our cars, however. When it comes to your Land Rover, though, it's essential.

Proper wheel alignments help to:

• Save Fuel- When the wheels of your Land Rover aren't aligned correctly, it creates uneven pressure in the tyres, making them push against one another. When this occurs, the tyres experience more resistance from the surface of the road and has to work harder to continue moving forward. This often results in more fuel burned and more money from your pocket.

• Save Car Parts- Badly aligned wheels don't just put a strain on your tyres; they affect your entire car and its parts. Uneven tyres can result in issues with the Land Rover parts of your steering system, uneven braking, and the suspension. The suspension is especially a problem, as it is made up of complicated car parts that are delicately balanced. Throwing off these parts can be expensive, as they will require professional help.

• Care for the Environment- If you're worried about saving the environment, ensuring the wheel alignment on your car is essential. When the wheel alignment is off, more fossil fuels need to be burned, which can lead to higher amount of pollution.

Speed Bumps and Wheel Alignment

Speed bumps are something we've come to expect in life, no matter how much we don't care for them. At least, we expect them on a road or in a parking lot. They are a reminder for us to slow down. It's often surprising that we tolerate them, considering how much we wouldn't if we had speed bumps in other areas of our lives. Think how frustrated you would be if there were speed bumps on the internet, slowing down your progress or in front of your home, thwarting your attempts to get in the house after work or school.

While speed bumps can be handy in certain neighbourhoods and parking lots, and can actually serve a vital purpose, they may do more damage than good- especially to your Land Rover. Speed bumps can:

• Destroy your shocks, which are responsible for absorbing imperfections in the road

• Destroy your steering, making it unsafe for you to drive your car

• Destroy your exhaust system, especially if you take the speed bump too fast

Just as importantly, however, speed bumps can throw your wheels out of alignment. The trick to keep this from happening is to slow down before you reach the speed bump. Land Rovers are tall vehicles, so you should approach the speed bump straight on; this will keep the car balances so it doesn't accidentally tip over. If you don't always drive your Land Rover, though, and drive a low-riding car, it's important approach the speed bump at an angle. This will allow the first tyre to hit the bump and provide more lift over the bump.

Pot Holes and Land Rover Parts

Pot holes are everywhere, and they can be responsible for a number of car parts being damaged. They are the enemy, and they can damage shocks, struts, suspension parts, steering, and your wheel alignments.

The number one defence you have against pot holes is avoid as many as you can. This isn't always possible, though, and swerving to avoid a pot hole can sometimes be more dangerous, especially if traffic is heavy. If you have to face a pot hole, take the time to slow down before you approach it. If you notice that it jars the vehicle (and your teeth) don't waste time; get to a mechanic to determine if any damage has been done. Remember, you may not always be able to see damage, but your car parts and wheel alignment could have suffered.

Some warning signs that a pot hole has damaged your Land Rover include:

• Loss of control- If you find your Land Rover is swaying when turning, bouncing excessively, or bottoming out, your steering or suspension may have been damaged by the pot hole. These are key systems related to your safety behind the wheel, and are responsible for how your car handles the road. Damaged components can include hub unites, steering racks, ball joints, steering knuckles, struts, shocks, and tie rod ends.

• Have you noticed your car is pulling in one direction or another while you're trying to keep it straight? Are your tyres wearing unevenly? This often means there is a wheel alignment problem. Getting it fixed will extend the life of your tyres and ensure you are able to handle your vehicle well on the road.

Other Possible Causes for Wheel Alignment Problems

Wheel alignment problems are often caused by pot holes and speed bumps, but they can also result from hitting the curb with your tyre or may be caused by simply driving over a period of time. It's important to pay attention to the way your car feels and functions in order to determine if your wheel alignment is off.

If you notice your Land Rover is pulling to the right or left, consult your mechanic immediately. While this problem may be the wheel alignment, it could also be something just as serious, like problems with the brakes or power steering. Don't take the chance. And, when you approach part of the road that could affect the parts of your car, be smart about how you drive. Don't drive too fast over speed bumps and pot holes, and avoid them if at all possible.

Even if you don't feel as if your wheels need aligned, it's still essential to have them aligned at least once a year. Doing so can increase the fuel economy of your Land Rover by 6% or more and extend the life of your tyres, suspension car parts, and steering parts.