Duke Answers "Why Alignment Matters" (Vehicle Alignment Maintenance)

Happy New Year 2026! Duke here and it's one of those things that can happen on a multi-day road adventure or a quick trip to the grocery store. You're on a car ride with your owner, and they hit a pothole, go too fast over a speed bump, or nail a curb. When it happens, you think, "I wonder if that was hard enough to do any damage?" But things seem ok, and they continue on their way while you enjoy the wind in your face. So today, we will bark about alignment and why it matters to keep our dog car rides smooth and enjoyable.

Keep in mind that any blow to your vehicle's suspension can throw it out of alignment. It can be a hard knock from the road or from another vehicle, such as being involved in a minor accident. When your suspension is out of alignment, it means that the wheels aren't all pointing where they should. And after a while, it can cause your tires to wear unevenly and affect steering and handling.

Let's go back to that pothole or curb you hit hard. Even if you think there was no damage, if you wait until you see tire wear, you may need to replace all four tires, which is not an inexpensive proposition.

That's why it's a good idea to have your alignment checked regularly by a qualified technician. If you get regular oil changes (a MUST!), consider having an alignment check while your vehicle is in for service. That's especially important if you drive roads that resemble the lunar surface. If you buy new tires, it's also strongly recommended that you have your alignment checked.

You can have your front wheels aligned or all four, and if your vehicle is newer, it's not a bad idea to spend a little extra for the four-wheel alignment check. Good alignment pays off with better steering and handling, less tire wear and—BONUS—better fuel economy since aligned wheels offer less resistance when they roll on the road.

I leave you with this quote to start the New Year,

"Staying on the straight and narrow is tough when all the cool stuff is on the detour."

Duke

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com