When you are driving down a narrow street or trying to parallel park downtown, you may end up hitting the curb every once in a while. More often than not, your vehicle is not going to sustain any significant damage. However, it is possible that your vehicle will need to undergo wheel alignment. Of course, wheel alignment can be needed from other issues other than hitting a curb, such as hitting a pothole, suspension problems, worn parts, and accidents. Keep an eye out for the following signs that will alert you of when you need to take your vehicle into an auto shop for wheel alignment services.

Vibrations

When your vehicle is properly aligned, its wheels will move in the exact same direction. In the event that you strike something hard like a curb, the wheels could potentially pop out of alignment, resulting in them pulling away from each other and causing a pretty bumpy ride. If you notice that your steering wheel is vibrating or shaking, talk to an auto repair technician as soon as possible.

Blowouts

If you experience a tire blowout, your vehicle's alignment may be to blame. In a number of cases, tire blowouts may be the direct cause of low pressure, uneven tire wear, and/or stress caused by the misalignment. If you have hit a curb or have been in an accident, make sure to schedule wheel alignment services to protect your vehicle as well as your own safety.

Steering Issues

Steering issues are very common when your wheels are not aligned properly. For example, you may notice that your wheel is veering one way or the other, and without force, you may be unable to turn it. More often than not, all you need to do is have your wheels aligned to get your steering wheel working normally again.

Fuel Inefficiency

As a result of uneven tread wear, the tires on your vehicle will find it difficult to perform at their best. Because of this, your vehicle will need to work that much harder in order to accelerate, meaning it will use more gas. If you notice that your vehicle is using more fuel than usual, talk to a technician about replacing the tires and aligning the wheels.

Whether you have hit a curb, struck a pothole harder than you should have, been in an accident, or something else, or you are experiencing some of the aforementioned issues and aren't sure why, get in touch with an auto repair shop like Louisville  Auto Spring in your area to schedule wheel alignment services.