BMW Wheel Alignment – Why it Matters for Your Safety and How it Can Save You Money

jennychambers

|1 year ago

BMW Wheel Alignment

Your BMW usually handles precisely and is fun to drive. But what if your wheels are not aligned properly? Having the correct wheel alignment is so important as it contributes to safety, handling, tyre wear and so much more.

In this blog, we uncover how important wheel alignment is, along with the dangers of misaligned wheels and how you can save money with regular wheel alignment checks.

Reducing the chances of accidents is important for your safety and the safety of others on the road. It helps reduce unwanted stress and can save you money as tyres are more durable and wear more evenly when wheels are aligned properly.

Our team of BMW experts at SB Autocare are here to help. We ensure that your BMW is kept safe by performing expert wheel alignment services. With a team on hand to handle your query right away, we put our customer’s minds at rest with our comprehensive services.

Let us uncover the importance of proper wheel alignment.

What is BMW Wheel Alignment?

Aligning the wheels on your BMW involves making sure that they are all pointing in the same way. This means that tyres are perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other. Having proper wheel alignment will provide you with optimum comfort, handling, and performance.

The two main types of wheel alignment are two-wheel alignment and four-wheel alignment.

Two-wheel alignment involves only adjusting the tracking for the front wheels. This is sometimes referred to as front-end alignment and is recommended for vehicles with solid rear axles and is typically performed on older vehicles. Our two-wheel alignment adjustments adjust for the camber, caster, and toe-in of the front wheels to align them with the vehicle’s centreline.

All-wheel or four-wheel alignment involves adjusting all four wheels for your BMW. Most modern BMWs have independent suspension and benefit from this type of alignment. Our technicians at SB Autocare adjust the camber, caster, and toe-in of all four wheels to ensure that they are aligned properly for optimum safety and handling.

Your BMW setup is unique and wheel alignment depends on the suspension components and type of axle your car has.

How Do Wheels Become Misaligned?

A lot of factors cause wheels to become misaligned. They typically involve coming into contact with a rough or uneven surface at speed. Potholes, minor crashes, and kerbs all play a part in misaligning your wheels. Alongside typical wear and tear due to age.

If you think you have misaligned wheels, it’s best to consult our team of experts to have your wheels looked at and adjusted. If you’re unsure what to look out for, read on to find out how to detect misaligned wheels.

How to Detect Misaligned Wheels in your BMW

There are various signs that your BMW might have misaligned wheels. If you observe any of these issues, it’s a good idea to take your vehicle to our technicians at SB Autocare for a wheel alignment check:

Steering wheel off-centre: If your steering wheel isn’t in the middle when you’re driving straight, it could mean that your wheels are misaligned.
Tyres making noise: Misaligned wheels might make your BMW’s tyres squeal, especially when you’re turning.
Hard to control your vehicle: It can be tough to make sudden turns or drive fast if one of your BMW’s wheels is misaligned.
Car going to one side: Misaligned wheels could make your BMW pull to one side even when you’re on a straight road.
Uneven tyre wear: Wheel misalignment can lead to uneven wear on your BMW’s tyres. This means that some tyres might wear out faster than others.
Worse fuel efficiency: Misaligned wheels can make your BMW’s tyres harder to roll, which can use up more fuel.
Steering wheel shakes: If your steering wheel shakes when you’re driving fast, it might be a sign that your BMW’s wheels are misaligned.

As soon as you notice these signs, we advise that you have your wheel alignment looked at right away. At SB Autocare, our team of BMW experts can reduce uneven tyre wear and help improve fuel efficiency and your overall road safety by performing a simple wheel alignment check.

Advantages of BMW Wheel Alignment

Having your BMW’s wheels aligned properly will provide several benefits:

Enhanced fuel efficiency: Making sure your wheels are aligned properly helps lower resistance on the tyres, cutting down how much fuel your BMW uses and making it more fuel-efficient.
Money savings: Keeping your wheels aligned can help you cut costs on changing tyres, buying less fuel, and fixing other issues with your BMW.
Reduced stress on car parts: If your wheels aren’t aligned, it can put extra pressure on your BMW’s suspension and steering parts, leading to pricey repairs. Aligning the wheels lessens the strain on these parts and makes them last longer.
Better car handling: Properly aligned wheels improve how your BMW steers and handles, especially when turning corners and driving fast. It also ensures a smoother and more comfortable ride.
Safer driving: When wheels are misaligned, your BMW’s tyres wear unevenly, causing handling problems and a higher risk of accidents. Wheel alignment makes sure your car handles well and, more importantly, lowers the chance of accidents.
Extended tyre lifespan: Aligned tyres last longer and wear evenly, which saves you money in the long run.
Improved driving comfort: Well-aligned wheels provide a smooth and comfortable ride, making your driving experience less tiring and more enjoyable in your BMW.

Save Money By Having Proper Wheel Alignment

If your wheels are aligned properly then you could save money. It ultimately depends on key metrics such as which BMW model you drive, how often you drive it and the way you drive. But typically studies have shown that you can save 7% on your fuel bill if your wheels are aligned properly.

Here’s an example: Suppose you cover 15,000 miles annually in a BMW that gets an average of 30 miles per gallon (mpg), and the fuel price is £6.60 per gallon. Ensuring proper wheel alignment may cut your yearly fuel expenses by around £220.

Not only could it save you on fuel, but it could also increase the lifespan of your tyres and reduce the need for tyre replacement. Misaligned wheels cause uneven tyre wear, and any wear below the minimum tread level will fail your MOT. Align your wheels today with SB Autocare to avoid this.

Aligning your wheels saves you money by preventing tyre replacements, reduces the risk of an accident (as handling is more predictable and controlled), and it enhances fuel efficiency by around 7%.