If you live in a cold area, then you know how the climate and weather can affect your vehicle during the winter months. Winter is one of the roughest seasons on cars. That’s why it’s important to get your car checked before the winter season begins, especially the wheel alignment.
Proper wheel alignment is obviously important in terms of preventing premature tire wear, and to maintain predictable and controllable handling and braking. But in winter weather, where you’re likely to encounter slippery conditions, wheel angles become much more important. Winter tires are meant to help you handle ice and snow, but they can’t do this if your wheels aren’t properly aligned.
Here are 3 ways winter weather can affect wheel alignment.
1. Winter Weather Reduces Tire Pressure
The weather plays a significant role in determining the condition of your tire pressure. When the temperature outside drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for multiple days in a row, then you will notice a drop in the tire pressure.
Generally speaking, there will be 1 pound of pressure loss for every temperature drop of 10 degrees. But this isn’t necessarily a reason to be concerned. This can easily be taken care of by adding more air to the tires. Additionally, you can bring your vehicle in and we can inspect it for you. This way, we can ensure you’re driving in a safe and reliable vehicle all winter long.
2. Cold Weather Can Cause a Loss of Traction
Your tires are the only part of the vehicle that are in contact with the road, so they have a lot of friction, naturally. This also means that if you drive your car on rough or rocky roads, it will wear out faster. Therefore, it’s important to get your car checked out before and even after the winter season. Getting your alignment done periodically keeps your car running properly, and ensures that you can enjoy a smooth ride.
3. It Can Throw Your Car Off Balance
Poorly aligned wheels can throw off your vehicle’s balance on snowy or icy roads. If not properly maintained, misaligned wheels could potentially cause you to skid out of control. This is especially true if you drive an all-wheel-drive vehicle. You will experience more significant (and usually uneven) tire tread wear. Additionally, the brake pads and brake system mechanics can wear out more quickly. Any issues with this and other drivetrain components could lead to damage and costly repairs, or at least maintenance services being required more often than necessary.
We Provide Alignment Services for Trucks & Vehicles of All Sizes
The need for wheel alignment service significantly increases when faced with adverse weather conditions. If you want more information about the effects of cold weather and the proper measures you should take to maintain your vehicles, we can help. VanAxle specializes in medium-duty truck alignment, alignment for heavy-duty commercial trucks, including industrial cranes and heavy equipment, and every vehicle in between. Our knowledgeable, friendly and experienced team of mechanics will go the extra mile for every client that we serve.