After a car accident, you are most likely focused on the more visible issues, like dents, scratches, and the broken fender. However, there is one element to the vehicle that often goes overlooked, particularly in minor collisions. Even a minor fender-bender can throw off the alignment of your vehicle, affecting how your car handles, tires wear, and the overall safety. Let’s explore the importance of post-collision wheel alignment checks for drivers in Camden County, New Jersey.
Key Takeaways
- Post-collision wheel alignment checks prevent alignment issues that could make your car difficult to control, especially at high speeds or in adverse weather conditions.
- Misalignment causes uneven tire wear, leading to premature replacement. Regular alignment checks can extend tire life and save money.
- Misaligned wheels increase resistance, making your car work harder and reducing fuel efficiency. An alignment check helps restore optimal performance.
- Watch for symptoms like pulling to one side, off-center steering wheels, uneven tire wear, vibration, and poor handling, all of which indicate misalignment after an accident.
What is Wheel Alignment?
Wheel alignment refers to the angle at which your tires meet the road. Proper alignment ensures that your vehicle’s wheels are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the ground, allowing for even tire wear, better handling, and improved fuel efficiency. When your vehicle is correctly aligned, it drives straight and true without pulling to one side.
A collision, even one that seems minor, can shift the position of your suspension components, steering, or wheels, causing misalignment. If left unchecked, misaligned wheels can lead to long-term damage, affecting your car’s overall performance and safety.
Why Do Post-Collision Wheel Alignment Checks Matter in Camden County?
As mentioned above, getting into a collision can easily throw off the position of your wheels, steering, and suspension. However, that is just one reason why a post-collision alignment check is important. Here are some other reasons to schedule an alignment check in Camden County, NJ today:
Safety Concerns
A misaligned vehicle can be difficult to control. It may pull to one side, require constant steering adjustments, or cause vibrations while driving. These issues can become particularly dangerous at high speeds or in adverse weather conditions. Ensuring your wheels are properly aligned after a collision can significantly reduce the risk of accidents due to poor handling.
Tire Lifespan
Misalignment places uneven stress on your tires, causing them to wear out unevenly or prematurely. If your wheels are out of alignment, one side of the tire may wear down faster than the other, leading to the need for early replacements. Routine wheel alignment checks following a collision can prevent unnecessary wear and save you money on tire replacements.
Fuel Efficiency
Imagine a strong wind blowing you sideways as you try to walk a straight line. It’s difficult and tiring, right? That is what happens when your car is misaligned. Your car must work harder to move forward. This increased resistance can cause your engine to use more fuel, reducing your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. After a collision, an alignment check can help restore your car’s optimal fuel efficiency, saving you money at the pump over time.
Overall Vehicle Performance
Proper alignment ensures your car drives smoothly and that all components work together effectively. Misalignment affects not only your tires but also your suspension system, steering, and even braking. A wheel alignment check after a collision can restore your vehicle’s performance, allowing you to drive comfortably and confidently on the roads of Camden County.
Signs Your Wheel Alignment is Off After a Collision
Misaligned wheels are not always immediately apparent. Sometimes, a minor misalignment can be hard to diagnose—until time goes by and it gets worse. Recognizing the warning signs early will help you prevent further damage and ensure your car remains in good condition. Here are several indicators that you should take your vehicle to an auto body repair shop in Camden County as soon as possible:
Pulling to One Side
One of the most common signs of alignment issues is when your vehicle pulls to the left or right while you’re trying to drive straight. This can happen even after a seemingly minor fender-bender, and it indicates that the wheels are not aligned properly. Failing to address this issue can lead to reduced handling control, making your vehicle more difficult to steer, especially in emergency situations or on wet roads.
Steering Wheel Problems
If your steering wheel no longer sits centered when driving straight or feels unusually loose or off-balance, this can signal a misalignment. Sometimes, the steering wheel may tilt slightly in one direction, even though the tires are pointed straight ahead. This misalignment not only affects your driving experience but could also indicate underlying structural issues caused by the collision.
Uneven Tire Wear
Do this: Take a penny and see if Lincoln’s head is visible when you stick it in the tire tread. If one tire is worse than the others, you most likely have uneven wear. Misalignment forces your tires to wear down unevenly, reducing their lifespan and increasing the likelihood of blowouts or traction problems. Also, check for bald spots or areas where the tread appears worn more on one side than the other—this is often a direct result of poor alignment.
Vibration or Shaking
If your vehicle vibrates or the steering wheel shakes, particularly at higher speeds, alignment issues may be to blame. While vibration can be caused by other problems, such as unbalanced tires, it’s often a symptom of misalignment, which creates instability in the wheels and suspension system. This shaking can make it more difficult to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of further accidents.
Poor Handling
Alignment issues can lead to a noticeable decline in how well your vehicle handles. You might find that your car feels less responsive or more difficult to control, particularly when making turns or navigating tight spaces. This reduced responsiveness can be dangerous, as it diminishes your ability to react to sudden changes in traffic conditions or road obstacles.
Schedule Your Post-Collision Wheel Alignment Today in Camden County, NJ
If you’ve recently been in a collision in Camden County, don’t overlook the importance of a wheel alignment check. Ensuring your wheels are properly aligned will help protect your tires, improve fuel efficiency, and keep you safe on the road. Call an auto body repair shop in Camden County, NJ after your collision to get your wheel alignment checked.
At Elmer’s Auto Body, we understand the importance of post-collision wheel alignment checks. Our certified technicians use advanced equipment to assess and adjust your vehicle’s alignment to the manufacturer’s specifications. Whether you’ve experienced a minor fender-bender or a more significant accident, we’ll make sure your vehicle is safe to drive and performing at its best. Contact one of our three South Jersey locations today to get your vehicle seen.