A wheel alignment, also known as a tire alignment, doesn’t adjust your tires or wheels themselves, but rather your vehicle’s suspension—the system connecting your wheels to your vehicle. At Integra Tire in Calgary, we offer professional wheel alignment services to keep your vehicle performing smoothly on the road.
What is the Importance of a Wheel Alignment?
In Integra Tire in Calgary, local road conditions like potholes, gravel roads, and curbs can easily affect your vehicle’s alignment. Regular wheel alignments help mitigate these issues, ensuring safe and efficient driving. A wheel alignment centers your steering wheel and keeps all four wheels parallel and level with the road. This not only improves gas mileage but also extends the life of your tires by reducing uneven tread wear.
When to Get a Wheel Alignment
You might need a wheel alignment if you experience any of the following:
- New Tires Installed: After getting new tires, it’s recommended to have an alignment.
- Uneven Tire Wear: If your tires wear unevenly, it could indicate an alignment issue.
- Steering Pulling: Your vehicle pulls to one side when driving straight.
- Off-Center Steering Wheel: The steering wheel isn’t centered when driving straight.
- Road Impact: If you hit a pothole, curb, or other debris.
- Vehicle Modifications: After lifting or lowering your vehicle.
- Rattling or Shaking: If the front end rattles when you hit a bump.
- Time Interval: It’s been over a year since your last alignment.
What Happens During a Wheel Alignment?
During a wheel alignment at Integra Tire in Calgary, our technicians adjust three key angles:
- Camber: This is the inward or outward tilt of the tire when viewed from the front of the vehicle.
- Toe: This is the inward or outward angle of the tire when viewed from above.
- Caster: This is the angle of the steering axis when viewed from the side, which can tilt towards the driver or the front of the vehicle.
Our experienced technicians ensure each angle is set to factory specifications, improving your vehicle’s handling and safety on the road.
Tire Balancing Services
In addition to alignment, tire balancing addresses any weight imbalances in the tires and wheels. Unlike alignment, which focuses on rotation, tire balancing ensures the weight is distributed evenly across the tire.
There are two main types of tire imbalances we address:
- Static Imbalance: An up-and-down imbalance of the tire.
- Dynamic Imbalance: A side-to-side imbalance of the tire.
To correct these imbalances, our technicians use a tire balancing machine. This involves placing each tire on the appropriate rim, inflating it to the recommended pressure, and positioning it in the balancing machine. The machine rotates the tire at high speed and determines how much weight needs to be added and where, ensuring a perfectly balanced wheel.
How Often Should You Align and Balance Your Tires?
For optimal tire performance, we recommend aligning and balancing your tires every 6,000 miles. This regular maintenance helps extend tire life and improve efficiency, which is especially beneficial for drivers in Integra Tire in Calgary.
Our team at Integra Tire in Calgary is here to assist with all your wheel alignment and tire balancing needs. Contact us today to schedule your service and keep your vehicle safe and aligned on the road.
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