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When it comes to automotive maintenance, there are certain services that are overlooked. Wheel alignment is one of these. You may have heard or been advised of the typical advice, which is to have your alignment checked every year or 10,000 miles. Not everyone adheres to this advice of course, and results vary. Some drivers chew up good tires in record time. Others do well enough to have an alignment done when they next purchase new tires. But if you're wondering why this interval is given and if you should follow it, today's article is for you.

First, it's never a bad idea to have the alignment checked yearly.

Drivers who can go longer between alignments tend to be able to do so because:

1) They don't drive on bad roads or hit pot holes hard or frequently

2) They're active with tire maintenance, checking air pressure and performing visual tread wear inspections

That first point means most drivers in Oakland, New Jersey (and any of the northeastern region states) would do best to have their alignment checked routinely. Let's talk a little more about why.

Bad Roads and Alignments

If you're from around the area, you know that New Jersey is no stranger to pot hole-riddled roads. As defensively as you may drive, it's not always safe to swerve out of the way, and you're bound to hit a day where you forget the location of a pot hole or run across one harder than you intended. These incidents add up and impact the alignment of your wheels, causing them to deviate from their correct position.

What's more, misalignment can happen gradually over time. So let's say you hit pot holes occasionally and the alignment begins to change, but it's not noticeable when you're driving. The alignment continues to change over time and, instead of realizing the alignment is off, you become accustomed to how your car drives with the alignment out of spec so you don't realize anything is different. It's like the metaphor of the frog in boiling water. The frog in the pot adjusts to slow increases in the water temperature and doesn't jump out when the water boils. In other words, a driver can get accustomed to a vehicle that isn't driving right if the change is slow. You might be out of alignment and not know it!

As a result, it's not a bad idea to have the alignment checked yearly.

Irregular Tire Wear and Alignments

Now let's address the second point. Irregular tread wear is an indicator that you should have your wheel alignment checked. Unusual tread wear that is a result of misalignment may appear as thin wear on one edge of the tire (typical of issues with toe alignment) or one side of the tire will be shorter than the other side when you look at the top or bottom of the tire (typical of camber alignment wear). There is also something known as feathering, where the tread is smooth on one side and sharply angled on the other, resembling the patterns of a bird's feather. This can be caused by incorrect toe or suspension issues but is sometimes hard to spot and easier to feel.

A recent survey found that 72% of American drivers lack general tire knowledge, and a Michelin North American survey found that 43% of teens have never checked their tire tread depth. Whether you're a teen or an adult, not checking your tread means you don't have a chance to catch irregular tread wear, either.

So it's best to visit an alignment shop as part of a maintenance plan for the reasons that:

A) Some misalignment tread wear, like feathering, is hard to see visually

B) Some drivers don't check tread regularly if at all and/or aren't knowledgeable about their tires

Of course, if you notice issues with your vehicle's handling, get to the alignment shop earlier. Misaligned wheels can result in handling problems like the vehicle pulling to one side, a crooked steering wheel, or vibration in the steering wheel. These issues not only affect your driving experience but also compromise your safety on the road.

And it's also a good idea to pair an alignment with new tire installation.

Take Care of Your Wheel Alignment (or at least have an Inspection)

Tire Tech and Auto Repair Center in Oakland, New Jersey is ready to assist with your next wheel alignment inspection and correction, as needed. We have state-of-the-art equipment, like a Hunter Engineering Alignment System (this is a well-known brand within the auto repair industry) and can handle alignments on passenger vehicles, like cars and light pickup trucks, as well as heavy-duty vehicles. Suffice to say, having a wheel alignment done yearly is a wise decision for many motorists, and especially those who live in New Jersey and other northeastern states in the US.

Whether you have encounters with pot holes and other obstacles or you aren't the best at checking your tires for irregular treadwear (or telling when a tire has early signs of wear issues), a routine wheel alignment can help you prolong the life of your tires and keep your vehicle handling true. Remember: an alignment inspection can't hurt and can be paired with other routine services you need, like a tire rotation and oil change.

So while there are drivers who can tell when their alignment is off or are pretty good at catching issues early, not everyone falls into this category. So don't overlook the importance of a yearly or 10k wheel alignment inspection; your vehicle will thank you!