Wheel Alignment
Not all tire wear is caused by a defect in the tires themselves. There are several other components of the vehicle that, when faulty, can result in premature tire damage. In particular, bad wheel alignment can result in uneven wear on your tires. In its most basic form, having correct wheel alignment means that all the wheels are pointing in exactly the same direction. Even if they're off by a little, your car's handling will suffer and you'll begin to see more wear in your tires and suspension than you should.
If your vehicle is in need of an alignment, there are certain symptoms you will notice including, a need to correct your steering to stay in a straight line, a shaky steering wheel, a vibrating steering column, and uneven tire wear. The uneven wear on your tires can sometimes be a sign that your tires need to be rotated, but when combined with these other symptoms, it's probably poor alignment.
Bad wheel alignment can be caused by a number of things, including running over potholes, accidents, hitting a curb, etc. Even if you haven't experienced any of these situations, it's a good idea to have your wheels aligned every 10,000 or once a year, whichever comes first.
When you bring your vehicle into Precision Auto to have its alignment fixed, one of our mechanics will put a sensor on each tire to determine which ones need to be adjusted. Next, he will check the suspension for any damage, and replace any bad parts. And, once he's made the necessary adjustments, he will test drive the car to make sure it worked. So, if you notice any of the symptoms above or just want to have an annual alignment, come by Precision Auto! Our service and repair center is located in The Dalles, OR.
Tire Rotation
At Precision Auto, we recommend that you rotate your tires every 6,000 for maximum performance, if not otherwise specified by the manufacturer. Tire rotations can help distribute tread wear evenly and can ultimately prolong the road life of your tires. If you notice uneven wear in your tread, bring them in for a tire rotation. Our service and repair center is located in The Dalles, OR.