What are wheel alignments and why are they important?

When we think about car maintenance, oil changes and brake checks may spring to mind, but there’s one crucial aspect of vehicle maintenance that’s easy to overlook—a wheel alignment. It might not sound as urgent as an engine light or new brake pads, but keeping your wheels properly aligned can make a noticeable difference in how your car performs, how long your tyres last, and even how much you spend on fuel or electric vehicle charge.

Is it easy to notice if your suspension is out of alignment?

Is it not always easy to know if your wheel alignment needs adjusting, but you may feel your Mercedes-Benz “pulling” or “tugging” to one side as you are driving, which can be an indication that your wheel alignment needs checking.

The way your tyres are wearing can also be an indication that you need to check your wheel alignment, which is something our highly trained Mercedes-Benz South West technicians can assist you with.

What can cause this?

Those menacing potholes you try your hardest to avoid? These can be the most common causes of disrupting your wheel alignment, along with hitting curbs or large debris in the road. The sudden jolt or force from the impact can knock suspension components out of position, resulting in a misalignment.

What does this mean for your tyres?

As the adjustment in your vehicle’s suspension can alter the position of your wheels, instead of wearing evenly across the three key contact points, the wear may concentrate on one side, leading to faster deterioration in this area.

Not only does this reduce the longevity of your tyres, it can also reduce the efficiency of your vehicle, as it works harder against the increased rolling resistance. So, whether you drive a combustion engine or an electric vehicle, your vehicle will consume more energy by working harder against this increased drag.

So, what exactly is a wheel alignment, and why should it be part of your regular maintenance routine?

Across our workshops in Taunton, Exeter, Plymouth and Truro, we use 4-wheel laser alignment machines that scan all four tyres to provide a reading of how aligned, or misaligned, they are. By checking the reading (which is measured in minutes and degrees), we can adjust your steering geometry to help prolong the life of your tyres and increase the efficiency of your Mercedes-Benz. It will also ensure optimum driveability and comfort.

Who is eligible for a wheel alignment check?

Every vehicle that enters our workshops in Taunton, Exeter, Plymouth and Truro will receive a complimentary Vehicle Health Check, also known as a VHC. During this check, our technicians will assess the wear and tear of your tyres (as well as brakes, suspension, and other key areas of your Mercedes-Benz). They may recommend from their examination that your vehicle would benefit from a wheel alignment.

However, if you are ever unsure if your vehicle needs checking, you are welcome to visit our showrooms to ask for a complimentary wheel alignment, with or without an appointment.

Our Service teams are available Monday to Friday 08:00-18:30 and Saturdays 08:00-13:00.