Potholes
It's that time of year again when the snow starts to melt, and you remember just how bad the Edmonton roads are without the layer of snow to act as a buffer. While we patiently wait for the city to start filling in those dips in the road, it might be time to take a look at your car.
Contrary to popular belief, when your vehicle's tire dips into a pothole, it does more than jostle the passengers. Hitting potholes is one of the key ways to throw your wheels out of alignment. Worse, if you hit a pothole that is too deep, or you hit it at the wrong angle, you can cause some serious damage to your front suspension and steering components.
What happens when you hit a pothole?
The term driving over a pothole is slightly misleading. When your vehicle goes over a pothole, the tire dips into the hole, which is what causes that "bump bump" experience. If a pothole is too big, it is not just the tire that goes into the hole, but the wheel and suspension go into the hole and then having to come back up to road height. Hitting a pothole at the wrong angle and speed can easily result in damage to the wheels and tires. Hitting one that is too deep can be even more treacherous and result in bent or broken front steering and suspension components.
How do you know you need a wheel alignment?
One of the easiest ways to tell if you need a wheel alignment is to find a straight stretch of road and see if your vehicle starts to pull. If all four tires are aligned, you will drive in a perfectly straight line, not accounting for any imperfections in the road. If your vehicle starts to pull in any direction, you should schedule a wheel alignment.
Why is getting a wheel alignment important?
It might not seem like too much of an issue if your vehicle is mildly pulling to one side. While it might be easy to correct, the underlying implications are not. For instance, even with a mild misalignment, you are causing uneven wear on your tires. Having wheels that are properly aligned also improves vehicle handling, which can be critical when you're driving over snow and ice.
What next?
If you find that your vehicle needs some TLC, whether in the form of a wheel alignment or a diagnosis and repair of front suspension and steering, trust your vehicle to Western GMC Buick. Our expert technicians and competitive prices, including 25% off front suspension and repair work when you get a wheel alignment, ensure that you will be back on the road in no time. Call us today at 780-486-3333 or scheduel your 4-wheel alignment online
Ends April 30th. See dealer for details. We reserve the right to cancel or change the offer at any time. Discount is only applied to labour. Terms, conditions, taxes, and fees apply.
