Consequences of Not Performing Wheel Alignment?
1 Answers
The consequence of not performing wheel alignment is that the vehicle will continuously pull to one side, which may lead to more serious safety accidents. Generally, wheel alignment is performed when the vehicle starts to pull to one side. After driving for a period of time, it is inevitable that the tire angles will become abnormal due to road bumps and component wear, causing the vehicle to drift. Methods to determine if wheel alignment is problematic: 1. Driving in a straight line: Choose a flat and straight road, ensure that the tire pressure of all four tires is consistent, straighten the steering wheel, then release the steering wheel and press the accelerator. If the vehicle can drive straight, it means the wheel alignment is fine; if the vehicle slightly drifts to the left or right with a minimal angle, it can be ignored; if the drift is severe, it indicates a wheel alignment issue. 2. Check for uneven tire wear: Owners should regularly inspect their tires, as they are the only part of the vehicle in contact with the ground. If the tires show uneven wear—one side is heavily worn while the other remains in good condition, also known as "tire cupping"—it indicates abnormal wheel alignment. Under normal circumstances, tire wear should be relatively even. 3. Lift the vehicle and shake the tires: Use a jack to lift the vehicle, leaving the tires in an unsupported state. Place your hands on the top and bottom or left and right of the tire, then apply slight force to shake the tire up and down or left and right. If the tire wobbles, the bearing may be damaged; bearing damage is also a sign of wheel alignment issues.
