With all the potholes on Edmonton’s roads and bouncing off curbs in winter having a Wheel Alignments done properly every year will maximize your tire life and will allow your vehicle to ride in a straight line. A properly aligned vehicle means a smoother ride, better gas mileage, and a longer tire life. It can improve your overall safety by increasing the amount of the tire in contact with the road and preventing your vehicle from pulling to the left or the right.

A four-wheel alignment, also known as a wheel alignment or front-end alignment, is a service that ensures all four wheels of your vehicle are aligned properly with each other and the road. Proper wheel alignment is essential for several reasons:

1. Tire Wear: Correct wheel alignment helps distribute the vehicle's weight evenly across all four tires. If your wheels are not properly aligned, certain tires may bear more weight than others, leading to uneven tire wear. This can result in premature tire replacement and increased maintenance costs.
2. Handling and Steering: Proper wheel alignment contributes to stable and predictable handling. If your wheels are misaligned, you may experience difficulty steering or notice that your vehicle pulls to one side. Proper alignment ensures that the vehicle travels straight and responds to steering input as expected.
3. Fuel Efficiency: Misaligned wheels can increase rolling resistance, meaning your vehicle has to work harder to move forward. This extra effort can result in decreased fuel efficiency. A proper wheel alignment helps optimize fuel efficiency by reducing unnecessary drag.
4. Suspension Component Longevity: Wheel alignment issues can contribute to premature wear on suspension components such as shocks and struts. When the wheels are properly aligned, these components are more likely to function as intended and last longer.
5. Safety: Proper wheel alignment is crucial for overall vehicle safety. It ensures that your vehicle responds predictably to steering inputs, reducing the risk of accidents. A vehicle with proper alignment is easier to control, especially during emergency maneuvers.
6. Alignment Adjustments: Over time, various factors such as potholes, curbs, and regular wear and tear can cause your wheels to go out of alignment. Regularly checking and correcting wheel alignment is part of routine vehicle maintenance to prevent issues from escalating.

In summary, a four-wheel alignment is necessary to optimize tire performance, ensure proper vehicle handling, maintain fuel efficiency, prolong the life of suspension components, and enhance overall safety. It is recommended to have a wheel alignment performed whenever you notice steering issues, uneven tire wear, or after certain maintenance procedures such as suspension repairs.