WHEN TO CHECK ALIGNMENT
Yes, those never-ending potholes and bumpy railroad crossings are seriously annoying. But they, along with more severe circumstances like a car accident, can knock your vehicle out of alignment. So, be sure to have your alignment checked if :
- You’ve hit something substantial
- You see a wear pattern developing on the shoulders (outer edges) of the tires
- You notice a difference in your vehicle’s handling
Frequently asked questions
BFGoodrich answers your most asked questions.
FAQ
It adjusts three suspension angles so your tires meet the road correctly. Caster is the forward or backward slope of a line drawn through the upper and lower steering pivot points, viewed from the side. Camber is the inward or outward tilt of the wheel viewed from the front. Toe is the difference in distance between the front and rear of the tires viewed from above.
The vehicle pulls or drifts to one side on a straight flat road with no crosswind. Your steering wheel sits off-center when driving straight. The steering wheel does not return easily to center after a turn. You see wear developing on one shoulder of a tire. Any one of these means book an alignment check.
It is strongly recommended. New tires on a misaligned vehicle develop uneven wear immediately, costing you thousands of miles of tread life on a brand new set. An alignment check when you fit new tires is inexpensive relative to the tires themselves and protects that investment from the first mile.
Hitting potholes and curbs, rough railroad crossings, minor collisions, and normal wear on suspension bushings and ball joints. Alignment drift is gradual and most drivers do not notice until a pull develops or uneven wear becomes visible, which is why an annual check is worth doing even when nothing feels wrong.
Yes. Misalignment reduces steering precision and stability, which matters most in an emergency maneuver. It also scrubs tread away faster, and a tire that reaches its wear limit early has less grip in the wet. If a vehicle's alignment is significantly off, it is not safe to drive until corrected.
At least once a year as routine, plus any time you hit a significant pothole or curb, any time you replace suspension or steering components, and whenever you fit new tires. If you regularly drive rough or unpaved roads, or you off-road, check more frequently.
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