by Master Match Collision Center
•
2 December 2024
After an accident, whether minor or severe, ensuring your car is properly repaired and safe to drive should be a top priority. One crucial but often overlooked step in post-accident repair is wheel alignment. Even if the damage seems minor or unrelated to your tires, skipping a wheel alignment could lead to long-term issues. Here are five important reasons why you should never skip wheel alignment after an accident. Preserve Your Tires When your wheels are out of alignment, your tires experience uneven wear. This reduces their lifespan and forces you to replace them more frequently. Uneven tire wear also affects traction, making driving less safe, especially in wet or slippery conditions. A quick alignment check after an accident can help prevent unnecessary tire damage and keep your car handling as it should. Proper Steering and Handling Even minor misalignments can disrupt your car’s steering and handling, leading to a drifting sensation or requiring constant corrections while driving. This can make your vehicle harder to control, especially at higher speeds or during sudden maneuvers. Proper alignment restores balance to your vehicle, enabling a smoother, safer driving experience. Prevent Suspension Damage The force of an accident can affect your car’s suspension system, which works closely with your wheels to maintain stability. Misaligned wheels place extra stress on suspension components, increasing the likelihood of damage to this system. By addressing alignment issues promptly, you can avoid costly repairs to your suspension. Optimize Fuel-Efficiency When your wheels are misaligned, your car must work harder to maintain its intended path. This added effort increases rolling resistance, which in turn reduces fuel-efficiency. Proper alignment helps ensure that your vehicle rolls smoothly, saving you money at the pump and reducing your carbon footprint. Long-Term Safety A misaligned vehicle is less predictable, increasing the risk of accidents in the future. Proper wheel alignment reduces the likelihood of losing control during emergency situations. When safety is on the line, investing in wheel alignment after an accident is a small price to pay for greater peace of mind. Collision Repair in San Antonio, TX For collision repair in San Antonio and the surrounding area, contact Master Match Collision Center at 210-503-9560 . Our local body shop will expertly restore your vehicle to a safely drivable condition. Feel free to give us a call to schedule an appointment!