VW Wheel Alignment
Volkswagens have been the trusted choice for decades. Appealing to the masses, the popular German automaker has cars to suit everyone. Whether you need a large SUV, a small city car, or a performance sports car, Volkswagen has you covered.
Just like any other car, Volkswagens need to be maintained properly. To ensure your safety and the safety of other road users, your wheel alignment needs to be correct. In this guide, we uncover what happens if your wheels are not aligned properly, how to detect misaligned wheels and how aligning your wheels can save you money in the long run.
Having properly aligned wheels helps your tyres last longer and reduces the likelihood of a crash. At Quality Car Service, our dedicated team of Volkswagen experts make sure your car is safe by performing precise wheel alignment checks and adjustments.
Read on to find out how we keep your vehicle safe.
What Does Wheel Alignment Mean For My Volkswagen?
Aligning the wheels involves adjusting where each wheel is pointing. To ensure proper handling and safety, wheels need to be pointing straight and parallel to each other.
Your Volkswagen can have two main types of wheel alignment adjustments, they are two-wheel and four-wheel alignment.
A two-wheel alignment adjusts the front wheels only and can sometimes be referred to as front-end alignment. Vehicles with solid rear axles (Volkswagen trucks and older models) are more suited to two-wheel alignments as only the front wheels need adjusting. Quality Car Service performs two-wheel alignments by adjusting the camber, caster and toe-in of the front wheels to ensure the wheels are aligned with the car’s centreline.
All-wheel or four-wheel alignment involves adjusting all four of your Volkswagen’s wheels in one go. Lots of modern VWs, especially those with independent suspension at the rear, need four-wheel alignments. A four-wheel alignment at Quality Car Service involves all wheels being subject to camber, caster and toe-in adjustment for precise alignment and therefore handling and safety.
The type of VW wheel alignment you need ultimately depends on your vehicle suspension and axle setup.
How Do VW Wheels Become Misaligned?
There are many reasons why your wheels become misaligned on your Volkswagen. Potholes, rough, uneven surfaces and hitting kerbs are all common reasons. Over time, natural wear and tear of suspension components also cause your wheels to become misaligned naturally.
If you suspect misaligned wheels in your Volkswagen, read on to discover the tell-tale signs.
How to Tell if Your VW Wheels Are Misaligned
There are several clear signs that your wheels might not be aligned properly. If you notice any of these issues, it’s a good idea to bring your car to our experts at Quality Car Service for a check:
- Off-centre steering wheel: If your steering wheel isn’t centred while you’re driving straight, it could mean that your wheels are not aligned correctly.
- Noisy tyres: Misaligned wheels might make your tyres squeal, especially when you’re making turns.
- Difficulty controlling your car: If you find it hard to make sudden turns or drive fast, it could be because one of your wheels is out of alignment.
- Car pulling to one side: Misaligned wheels might make your car drift to one side even on a straight road.
- Uneven tyre wear: When wheels are misaligned, your tyres may wear out unevenly. Some tyres may wear down faster than others.
- Lower fuel efficiency: Misaligned wheels can make your car use more fuel by increasing tyre rolling resistance.
- Steering wheel vibration: If your steering wheel vibrates when you’re driving at high speeds, it could be a sign of misaligned wheels, and it’s worth getting it checked.
As soon as you notice these signs, it’s best to consult professional help from our team at Quality Car Service. We help reduce unnecessary wear, and poor fuel economy and improve your driving safety by checking your Volkswagen wheel alignment.
The Benefits of Correct Wheel Alignment in Your Volkswagen
Aligning your wheels properly comes with various advantages, such as:
- Enhanced fuel efficiency: When your wheels are aligned correctly, it minimises resistance on the tyres, leading to lower fuel consumption and better fuel efficiency for your vehicle.
- Cost-effective: Proper wheel alignment helps you cut costs on tyre replacements, fuel, and other vehicle fixes.
- Reduced stress on vehicle parts: Misaligned wheels can stress your vehicle’s suspension and steering components, potentially leading to pricey repairs. Aligning the wheels lessens this strain, prolonging the life of these components.
- Improved vehicle handling: Correct wheel alignment enhances your vehicle’s steering and handling, especially during turns and high-speed driving. This not only makes driving smoother but also more comfortable.
- Safer driving: Misaligned wheels can cause uneven tyre wear, impacting handling and increasing the risk of accidents. Wheel alignment ensures your vehicle handles properly, reducing the chance of accidents.
- Extended tyre lifespan: Aligned tyres last longer and wear evenly, ultimately saving you money on replacements.
- Enhanced driving comfort: Well-aligned wheels contribute to a smoother and more comfortable ride, making your driving experience less tiring and more enjoyable.
Don’t Risk Your Safety and Save Money by Aligning Your Wheels Correctly
You could save a lot of time, hassle, and money if you align your wheels properly. The amount you can save will depend on which Volkswagen model you own, your driving habits, and your driving frequency. Studies have concluded that misaligned wheels could result in a 7% reduction in fuel economy on average.
Suppose you cover a distance of 15,000 miles annually in a car that achieves 30 miles per gallon (mpg), with fuel priced at £6.60 per gallon. Ensuring your wheels are properly aligned could potentially save you around £220 in fuel expenses each year.
Not only will you reduce fuel costs, but aligned wheels will help prolong the life of your tyres and reduce uneven wear. To avoid unwanted tyre replacements, consult our team of experts at Quality Car Service today and have your wheels aligned.
Correctly aligned wheels can save you significant costs over a long period. As it reduces the chances of frequent tyre replacements, improves fuel economy, and reduces overall wear and tear. The best part is that your handling and safety will not be compromised if your wheels are properly aligned on your Volkswagen.
Reach out to our team of Volkswagen specialists at Quality Car Service today and have your wheels aligned by professionals.
In Summary
VW Wheel alignment checks and adjustments are essential. To help reduce the risk of an accident with improved handling and reduce the strain on your wallet with less frequent tyre changes – wheel alignment checks are an important part of vehicle ownership.
If you think the wheels in your Volkswagen are not properly aligned, be sure to reach out to Quality Car Service for a proper safety check and expert VW wheel alignment procedure today.
