A well-functioning suspension system and properly aligned tires are essential for excellent vehicle performance, especially steering and handling. A properly aligned vehicle with a healthy suspension system will handle correctly, achieve optimal fuel efficiency, and maximize tire life. If you’ve noticed signs that your suspension system needs work or your vehicle is due for a tire alignment, schedule an appointment with Queen City Motors Service Center today. We use our top-of-the-line Hunter Hawkeye Elite to perform alignments, and unlike many other auto shops, we can even align vehicles that have lane departure warnings.
Suspension Systems
Your vehicle is suspended by a unique combination of springs, shocks, struts, tires, bars, joints, and a variety of other components that are collectively known as the suspension system. It is important to have an auto technician inspect your vehicle’s suspension system periodically, checking for worn or damaged parts that need to be replaced. If you notice any of the following signs, your suspension system likely needs work:
- Your vehicle feels like it rolls or sways on turns or winding roads.
- The front of your vehicle dives when you brake.
- The front of your vehicle bounces when you stop.
- On rough roads, your vehicle bounces or feels like it’s sliding.
- Your vehicle bottoms out on bumps.
- As you drive, you feel the vehicle shimmying back and forth through the steering wheel.
One of the most common repairs required in the suspension system is the replacement of the shock absorbers. Working with the vehicle’s springs, shock absorbers facilitate ride control by supporting the vehicle’s weight, absorbing impact, and minimizing bouncing to keep the tires on the road. When your shock absorbers become worn or damaged, you will have less control over your vehicle. Additionally, your suspension system and tires will suffer from premature wear.
Contact Queen City Motors if your vehicle requires suspension system maintenance or repairs.
Tire Alignment
Also known as a wheel alignment, a tire alignment doesn’t actually involve the adjustment of the tires or the wheels themselves. Instead, this is an adjustment of the vehicle’s suspension system. By changing the angles of the tires, we can affect how they make contact with the road. Even a small deviation from the correct settings of your suspension system can increase tire wear, reduce fuel economy, and make your vehicle difficult (or even unsafe) to drive.
Misalignment may be caused by uneven tire wear, the installation of new tires, a car accident, frequently driving on rough roads, or driving over obstacles like potholes and curbs. These activities can disturb three different alignments: the toe, the camber, and the caster. All three alignments must be properly set for your car to drive safely and correctly. We encourage you to schedule a tire alignment if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Uneven tread wear
- Early signs of tire wear
- Your vehicle is pulling to the left or right
- The steering wheel is off-center when you’re driving straight
- The steering wheel vibrates
- Any other change in your vehicle’s handling or steering
In addition, your vehicle will need a tire alignment when you have new tires installed, after your vehicle is in an accident, and periodically throughout the life of your vehicle.
Tire alignments offer all of the following benefits:
- Help tires perform properly
- Extend the life of your tires
- Improve vehicle handling
- Prevent your vehicle from pulling in one direction
- Repair a vehicle that’s vibrating strangely on the road
- Avoid unnecessary tire and fuel costs
- Prevent unpleasant and potentially hazardous driving
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You might wonder why it’s necessary for vehicle owners to worry about suspension and alignment. After all, aren’t the wheels aligned at the factory? Isn’t the suspension system designed to withstand whatever the road throws at it? But every vehicle benefits from periodic maintenance. Evaluating the suspension system and adjusting the tire alignment from time to time is necessary to keep your vehicle running safely and economically.
Contact Queen City Motors today to schedule a suspension evaluation and tire alignment for your vehicle.
