What’s so Important About Wheel Alignment?

Picture this: you’re driving down the road in your Honda CR-V. The sun is out, the road is smooth, and you’re enjoying your drive. All of the sudden the car jolts and you realise you’ve hit a pot-hole. The trip becomes smooth again once more, so you don’t give it a second thought.

Two weeks later, however, you notice the car is pulling toward the right and isn’t driving as well as it used to.

So, what happened? When you hit the pot hole, you may have thrown the wheel alignment off. Many of us don’t realise the importance of this alignment, and how much it can affect the way we drive, certain car parts, and even our pocket books.

Wheel Alignment and Your Honda

Wheel alignment refers to keeping the wheels of the car a perpendicular angle to the road, while also ensuring they are all parallel to each other. What makes this so important?

• Saves Fuel- When the wheels on your Honda aren’t aligned properly, the tyres are placed under uneven pressure. This causes uneven friction, which leads to more road resistance during a drive. Because of this, the car has to work twice as hard to move forward, burning more fuel in the process.
  

• Increases Tyre Life- Tyres that aren’t aligned correctly are subject to more wear and tear; this means they will wear down much more quickly and will need to be replaced sooner. Because the cost of new tyres is an expenditure all car drivers try to avoid until necessary, getting the car re-aligned can help save you money.
  

• Better Handling- That pull to the right or left? That’s your Honda’s way of telling you that something is wrong. In addition, misalignment can also cause the steering wheel to vibrate while it you’re driving down the road. When the car is realigned, the shock from road can be properly absorbed so the vehicle will be easier to handle.
  

• Safer Driving- Realignments require the help of a professional, and while this can cost you more money, it can also save you money as well. During the realignment, most professional mechanics will also inspect other car parts in the suspension system. If they spot any worn Honda parts, they can fix them before they lead to serious problems that could affect your safety.
  

• Reduced Strain- Your vehicle is working overtime to function correctly when the wheels aren’t aligned, and this can lead to other serious problems. Certain car parts, like those related to the brakes and steering system can be affected. Repairing the misalignment as quickly as possible reduces the strain on the rest of the vehicle so it is able to function correctly.
  

When to Get Your Wheels Aligned

If you’re driving down the motorway and find that the steering system in your Honda is hard to control or the car is veering to one side or the other, get to a mechanic as quickly as possible. As a rule of thumb, you should also have the alignment checked every six months, regardless of whether or not any alignment issues have been noticed.