What Causes Car Alignment Problems?

“Oh oh, my vehicle keeps going left but I’m steering straight! Is this a misalignment problem? What will this do to my tires? What causes car alignment problems?” Do these words sound familiar?

If you own a car long enough, you will probably experience wheel misalignment problems. It can be something that just develops over time, but it’s more likely to be caused by a specific incident. You may be asking, “What cause car alignment problems and how does it affect my driving? Simply stated, misalignment is a condition when your tires are not pointing in the same direction as the steering wheel. It can shorten the life of your tires by thousands of miles and compromise crucial steering and suspension parts, so don’t delay in having a wheel alignment service as soon as you steering problems.

Here are just a few of the incidents that may cause wheel alignment problems:

  • Hitting curbs
  • Going too fast over speed bumps
  • Hitting potholes too fast
  • Auto accidents, even minor ones
  • Neglect of vehicle maintenance

Has your wheel alignment checked about every 6,000 miles? At the very least, have it checked at every other oil change or at the first sign of premature tire wear. A periodic alignment service will boost your car’s handling and safety, improve fuel efficiency, prevent damage to vital vehicle components, and extend the life of your tires. The price of an alignment service is much more cost-effective than paying for a new set of tires!

Wheel alignment issues aren’t always obvious right away and they tend to get worse over time. Contact our ASE Certified technicians at Dependable Car Care for more information about what causes car alignment problems and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves residents in the community of Ventura, CA, and surrounding area.