The past few months have been brutal on you, but they’ve also been brutal on your car. Ice, freezing temperatures, rough roads – after being exposed to extreme conditions, your car is probably in need of a little T.L.C. One of the things you need to be concerned about is your car’s wheel alignment. During the winter, a cycle of freezing and thawing occurs that creates potholes. Between these potholes and normal suspension wear, your wheels may be knocked out of alignment. Misalignment will wear tires out sooner, and also cause a lot of other suspension and steering problems if ignored – problems that can lead to the need for new tires and costly repairs. So how do you know if your car needs an alignment?

Here are a few signs:

• Do you find yourself holding the steering wheel to one side, or does the car want to drift to the left or right on its own?
• Does the steering wheel seem off center when you’re driving on a straightaway?
• If so, these are warning signs that your car might need an alignment correction. A licensed mechanic can check your vehicle using special equipment and solve the problem.

We recommend that you check your wheel alignment once a year, or after a tough winter, to extend the life of your tires and to spot suspension and steering problems before they turn into major repairs. Your car will handle much better, saving you money and grief in the long run.

Book an appointment early, before the spring rush.