If your vehicle is not giving you a smooth ride, you may wonder, does your car or truck need an alignment? Dakota Ridge Automotive in Littleton can help answer that question. If you suspect an issue, go ahead and bring your car, truck or SUV into and our ASE-certified technicians. We will take a look and see if your car needs an alignment and provide all repairs.
There are several things to look for to determine, does your car or truck need an alignment. If you notice one of these warning signs, bring it into us and we will check it out.
Is your steering wheel off center?
If you notice when you are driving that the steering wheel is not centered and straight but instead it is off center in either direction, then you may need a computerized alignment service. This will get your steering wheel back to the center and improve driveability.
Do you notice that your steering wheel doesn’t return to center?
Your steering wheel should return to center on its own after completing a turn. If it doesn’t, that could be a sign that you need an alignment.
Does the handling feel loose when you are driving?
When you’re driving, if the steering feels loose or unstable, it may need a wheel alignment. If your car feels like it’s wandering across the road when driving or very loose particularly around corners, then you should have the alignment checked.
Did you hit a big curb or pothole and now your car doesn’t steer properly?
Sometimes your car’s suspension and steering components become damaged or just wear out over time. If this is the case, you may need to bring it in for an alignment.
Does your car pull to one side or the other?
If you are driving straight down a road and your car is pulling to one side or the other and it takes some effort to keep it straight, it may be your alignment causing it.
Have you noticed any abnormal wear in your tires in certain spots?
Wear patterns on your tires can show that you have an alignment problem. If you have wear on the inside or outside edges of your tires you may have a problem with the camber adjustment. If there is feathering or scalloping of the tires you may have a problem with the toe adjustment. We often notice uneven wear on when we are rotating the tires or during some other service.
Regular Alignments
Most vehicle manufacturers recommend getting a computerized alignment service every couple of years. If you drive in harsh conditions like rough roads, off-road or in extreme weather conditions, you might even need an alignment every year.
If you notice any of the warning signs and are wondering does your car or truck need an alignment, just bring it to Dakota Ridge Automotive in Littleton and we will check it out. If your vehicle needs an alignment our technicians will make the correct adjustments and repairs to bring your wheels back into proper position and you can get that smooth ride back.
