​​What Happens When Your Vehicle Needs Alignment?​

Your vehicle should be able to drive competently throughout the year. One way to ensure it’s competence is to make sure your wheels are properly aligned. What if they are not? What happens when your wheels steer you the wrong way in a lane? 

Getting your alignment right is essential for safe driving. How do you know when your vehicle is out of balance? You may be in a lane, and the vehicle drifts from the center. It may pull to one side, causing you to constantly correct your vehicle trajectory. You may also feel a vibration from underneath the vehicle. It may even shake. If not addressed, it may cause severe damage to your wheels, brakes, steering system, and suspension.  

What can cause your vehicle to get out of alignment? Driving through potholes is one huge cause. The streets around Carson City, Reno, and throughout Northern Nevada and the Sierra Nevada can develop potholes after a bad storm. Even without knowing they’re there, driving through them may cause damage to your chassis components, mainly the wheels and suspension.

Another common cause of a misaligned vehicle is hitting the curb when parking. What may start as curb rash could worsen with wheel damage and eventually lead to suspension issues. This often occurs at low speeds.  

What specific issues should you look for to indicate when your vehicle is out of alignment? For one, tire wear is a great indicator that you have balance issues. This can be seen from outside your vehicle. A turn of the wheel can show you what it looks like on the inside of the tire. You can also visually check for suspension, wheel, and brake system damage. If you notice anything, it is time to bring your vehicle in for maintenance.  

How do you prevent any damage to your vehicle’s tires, wheels, and suspension? It is recommended that you get an alignment every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. It is also highly recommended that you get an alignment immediately after an accident or hitting a pothole. That way, you could see if the collision incurred any damage to the suspension.  

An alignment at Michael Hohl Honda’s service department will do the trick. Otherwise, you may end up with a costly repair and a prolonged period without your vehicle. It is really a part of the maintenance on your Honda. If you sense something is off, schedule an appointment with us. We’ll get you back on the road, balanced and within the lines.