United Tire and Service News

It only takes one pothole to change the dynamics of a wheel alignment, and when it happens, you will definitely know it. According to a recent report from City Controller Rebecca Rhynhart, there have been approximately 292,943 potholes repaired from January 2013 to December 2018 throughout Philadelphia. Those potholes created a lot of potentially dangerous driving situations. The report cited over 107,000 complaints received from residents and most of the pothole repairs were in Center City, Northeast Philly, and East Germantown. The good news is that in June of this year, Mayor Jim Kenney announced a $200 million plan for repaving the streets and reducing the number of potholes. Until then, they’re still out there, so be forewarned! 

 

While potholes are a major contributing factor for having a bad alignment, there are others. Here are a few common reasons why your car may be out of alignment: 

 

 

Generally speaking, normal driving will not cause a bad alignment, but an alignment check is recommended on a random basis. If there is any noise coming from your suspension system, a service appointment should be scheduled immediately.

 

Perhaps the most significant dangers of driving a car with bad alignment conditions are the effect that it has on safety. A bad alignment can cause your steering wheel to be off-center. If you take your hand off the steering wheel, your car should still be able to remain relatively straight. But, when a car is out of alignment, there will be a very noticeable and gradual shift to the left or right. This is very dangerous, especially while driving on the highway at 55 m.p.h. (or more, for some of you speedier Philly drivers!)  

 

The dangers of driving a car with bad alignment conditions also have an effect on your wallet. In almost all situations of having a bad alignment, there will be clear indications of tire wear. Most often, the tires will show premature wear on the outer or inner tread. If you continue to drive your car in this condition, the tires will ultimately become worn to the point where the tread on the outer or inner edges is completely bald. And that also creates an unsafe driving situation, as well as reduce ride comfort. Additionally, that means you need to replace tires that could have been saved if the alignment was corrected in a timely manner. It's an out-of-pocket expense that you can usually avoid by having a random alignment check. An alignment check should absolutely be completed when buying new tires!

 

 

When your car was manufactured, the automaker chose the alignment specifications with precise detail. When those specifications are changed by the above reasons, they need to be re-calibrated by a technician who is specifically trained in alignments and suspension repair. It is not a "do-it-yourself" type of repair by any stretch. The technician uses a computerized system to bring your alignment within specifications and inspects the suspension system for any needed repairs. 

 

Make an online appointment with United Tire & Service today! With 13 locations surrounding Philadelphia, our friendly staff will help keep your car safe. Each location is thoroughly dedicated to providing high-quality repair service. We also have financing options available!