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Today's vehicles steer easier, ride better, and are significantly more comfortable due to the ever increasing technology to the suspension and tires.
Years ago I recall a person telling me that their vehicle steered perfectly based on how far it drove in a straight line (hands free) before having to perform a steering correction. Today, if that were to occur I would tell that person that his vehicle needs a wheel alignment. It's important to have the vehicle fade or drift to the right rather than to go in a straight line or worse, fade or drift left. The reason is if something terrible were to happen to the driver (sleep or medical concern) we want the vehicle to fade or drift to the right and stop. A vehicle can NEVER fade or drift left, if your vehicle does, it needs to be repaired immediately.
Today's radial tires are such a high quality we rarely have a problem or concern for the entire life of the tire. They roll straighter, are quieter, more durable, and operate well in many different environments. A radial tire can even hide a worn front end concern and make the vehicle steer well without the driver knowing there's a problem.
In a perfect world, you should never need a wheel alignment. Pot holes, curbs, and ruts are the most common items that knock out the vehicle's alignment. The majority of today's vehicles also have an adjustable rear suspension. If you have even seen a vehicle going down the road crooked, it's called "dog tracking" and the correction is to have the rear wheels aligned prior to the front. For this reason when an alignment is performed it needs to be a "4 wheel alignment".
If your steering wheel is off center, it can be an indicator that a wheel alignment is required. Abnormal tire wear can suggest loose or worn front end components.
I recommend having your vehicles alignment checked every 20,000 kilometers or annually. It will increase your tire life and make your overall driving experience more enjoyable.
