Do you notice that your Sprinter van is drifting slightly to the left or right when you are driving it? Or perhaps your car’s tires look like they are wearing out much faster than normal? These might seem like small issues, but they could point to a bigger problem: poor wheel alignment.
At first, wheel alignment problems seem unimportant, but they will eventually result in costly repairs, reduced vehicle dependability, and an unpleasant driving experience. That is why, irrespective of the nature of your Sprinter usage, whether for commercial or personal use, it is important to align the car for better safety, performance, and comfort. Now, let’s get more details on the importance of wheel alignment and what may happen if you don’t care about it.
What is Wheel Alignment?
Wheel alignment means setting your van’s suspension system to give the wheels the correct angles. This includes three key angles:
- Camber: The position of the tire when looked at from the front of the car.
- Toe: The direction of the tires when they are looked at from above.
- Caster: The direction of steering when viewed from the side of the vehicle.
If these angles are not right, your van’s tires do not have the correct road contact, which negatively impacts your car.
Consequences Of Not Getting Wheel Alignment Done
Ignoring the wheel alignment will not be a problem in the short run, but it will cause many problems in the long run. Below are some of the risks of ignoring this vital maintenance task:
- Uneven Tire Wear: Wheels that are out of alignment put different amounts of pressure on your tires, which will cause them to wear out faster. You may observe that the inner part of the tire becomes thinner than the outer part or that the left part of the tire has worn out more than the right part. This will mean that you will have to change your tires more often, and your van will be less safe to drive.
- Poor Fuel Efficiency: If your wheels are not aligned, your Sprinter van will struggle to steer in the direction it needs to go. This extra effort means that your engine consumes more fuel than it is supposed to. In the long run, this will reduce your van’s MPG (miles per gallon), which means you spend more cash on fuel.
- More Stress To The Suspension And Steering Parts: When your wheels are out of alignment, it is equivalent to adding high stress to your suspension and steering systems. Accessories such as ball joints, tie rods, and shocks may degrade much faster, making the vehicle ready for high-cost repairs.
- Higher Risk Of Accidents: Misalignment can make your Sprinter van a little unpredictable on the road. Getting off track, getting off course, or jerky movements that cause the car to skid during a rainy season can easily be attributed to wheels that are not aligned. For a vehicle as large and heavy as a Sprinter, this can greatly raise the chances of an accident occurring.
Your Sprinter van will always give you clues that something is out of balance and needs an adjustment. When the car pulls to one side, tires wear unevenly, steering wheel is off center, vibrations in the steering, or the tires squeal while in motion, then it is time to check the alignment.
Let Our Professionals At Sprinter Gurus Help Fix Your Sprinter Van
At Sprinter Gurus, we know the significance of wheel alignment for your Sprinter van. Located in Norcross, Georgia, it’s our privilege to help the drivers in and around Gwinnett County with their Sprinter vans’ maintenance and repairs. When you turn to us for help, we will first conduct a diagnostic check of your Sprinter and determine whether your wheels, tires, or suspensions are worn out. If there’s a problem with alignment, our experienced mechanics will employ state-of-the-art tools to set your van wheel angles to the right factory settings.
But we don’t stop there. We will not only look for misaligned issues but also look for the possible cause, such as worn suspensions or uneven tire pressure. By dealing with these issues, you make your Sprinter van drive well and remain in the best condition for as long as possible. Come to us today and get an appointment to ensure your Sprinter will serve you for many more years.