Audi Wheel Alignment
We can’t underestimate how important it is that your wheels are properly aligned. If your wheels aren’t aligned as they should be, your safety can be compromised, and your chances of causing an accident are increased. Not only that, it could have a large impact on your wallet.
In this guide, we explain what wheel alignment is, how to tell if your wheels are misaligned and how you can save on fuel and tyre costs in your Audi.
At Roade Main Garage, we make sure all our customer’s vehicles are safe when they leave our workshop. With a team of professionals on hand to assist you with your wheel alignments, servicing, and repairs. We specialise in taking care of every element of Audi vehicles.
Let us explain how important wheel alignment is…
What is Audi Wheel Alignment?
Wheel alignment involves adjusting wheels’ angles, so they run parallel and stand at right angles to the ground. Proper wheel alignment is vital for a vehicle’s control, performance, and safety.
There are two kinds of wheel alignment: two-wheel alignment and four-wheel alignment.
A two-wheel alignment focuses on adjusting only the front wheels, commonly known as a front-end alignment. This type of alignment is required only for vehicles with a solid rear axle, like trucks and older cars. In a two-wheel alignment, the Roade Main Garage technicians fine-tune the camber, caster, and toe-in of the front wheels to align them with the vehicle’s centreline.
Four-wheel alignment, also known as all-wheel alignment, involves adjusting all four wheels simultaneously. This type of alignment is beneficial for modern Audis, especially those with independent rear suspension. During a four-wheel alignment, our technicians at Roade Main Garage tweak the camber, caster, and toe-in of all four wheels to ensure they are in line with each other.
The type of alignment you need in your Audi will depend on its suspension setup.
How Do Wheels Become Misaligned?
There are lots of reasons why wheels can become misaligned. Driving on rough, uneven roads, hitting potholes, and colliding with kerbs or other objects are the main reasons. Over time, Audi suspension parts also wear down due to natural wear and tear.
If you feel your wheels are misaligned or want to know how to detect wheel alignment issues, you can investigate by looking out for key indicators.
Key Indicators of Misaligned Audi Wheels
There are a few clear signs that your Audi may have wheel alignment issues. If you observe any of the following indications, it’s advisable to take your vehicle to our technicians at Roade Main Garage for a wheel alignment inspection:
- Steering wheel not centred: If the steering wheel isn’t in the middle when you’re driving straight, it could mean the wheels are out of alignment.
- Tyres making noise: Misaligned wheels might cause the tyres to make noise, especially when turning.
- Trouble controlling the vehicle: It can be challenging to make sudden turns or drive at high speeds if one of your wheels is misaligned.
- Vehicle pulling to one side: Misaligned wheels could make your Audi pull to the side on a straight road.
- Uneven tyre wear: Wheel misalignment can lead to uneven tyre wear, with one or more tyres wearing down faster than the others.
- Lower fuel efficiency: Misaligned wheels can increase tyre rolling resistance, causing your Audi to consume more fuel.
- Steering wheel vibration: If the steering wheel vibrates at high speeds, it may indicate misaligned wheels.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s recommended to have your wheels inspected by our team at Roade Main Garage. In addition to causing unnecessary tyre wear, wheel misalignment can reduce fuel efficiency and pose a safety risk to you, your passengers, and other road users.
Save Money and Have Your Audi Wheels Aligned
You could save a lot of money when your Audi’s wheels are properly aligned. The amount you can save will depend on several factors including which Audi you drive, how much you drive and your driving habits. Studies have shown that you could save up to 7% on fuel costs by having your wheels aligned.
Suppose you travel 15,000 miles annually in an Audi that typically gets 30 miles per gallon (mpg), and the fuel price is £6.60 per gallon. Proper wheel alignment could save you approximately £220 per year on fuel expenses.
Not only will fuel costs be lower, but you could also save on tyre costs by having properly aligned wheels as they will not wear down as quickly. We perform wheel alignment adjustments at Roade Main Garage.
To avoid frequent tyre replacements, increase your fuel economy and reduce overall wear and tear, have your wheels aligned. You will also improve the overall safety of your car and reduce the chances of a crash when your wheels are properly aligned as handling is more predictable.
Wheel Alignment in your Audi
Proper wheel alignment aids in keeping you and other road users safe, it reduces fuel consumption and premature tyre wear. As there is a long list of benefits to having your wheels aligned, do not hesitate, and reach out to us for help.
At Roade Main Garage, our experienced team of Audi specialists is on hand to perform wheel alignment checks quickly and efficiently. Contact us today to book your appointment!