BMW Wheel Alignment
Making sure your BMW performs optimally involves focusing on the little things, with wheel alignment being one of them.
In this blog, you’ll explore:
- How the correct wheel alignment is key to your safety and the safety of others on the road.
- The signs that suggest your BMW wheels might be misaligned.
- The economic benefits and efficiency gains of maintaining proper wheel alignment.
- And more…
At Gent’s Garage, your safety is our top priority. We’re dedicated to delivering top-notch customer service and our team of highly experienced BMW specialists ensures your vehicle remains in prime condition.
Feel free to contact Gent’s Garage for any BMW maintenance needs you have.
What is Wheel Alignment?
Wheel alignment involves fine-tuning the angles of your BMW’s wheels so they’re precisely parallel to each other and perpendicular to the road. This precision is crucial for your car’s handling, performance and safety.
There are two main types of alignments your BMW may need; two-wheel (or front-end) and four-wheel alignment.
For BMWs with a solid rear axle, like many trucks and older models, a two-wheel alignment is often sufficient. This procedure adjusts the front wheels by setting the camber, caster and toe to align perfectly with your vehicle’s centerline.
Most modern BMWs, including those with independent rear suspensions and SUVs, benefit from a four-wheel alignment. This method fine-tunes all four wheels at once.
At Gent’s Garage, our professionals are committed to accurately adjusting the camber, caster, and toe of all four wheels, ensuring they operate perfectly together.
Choosing between a two-wheel and a four-wheel alignment for your BMW usually depends on the car’s specific suspension design and the manufacturer’s guidelines.
What Leads to Wheel Misalignment?
Wheel misalignment in your BMW can occur due to a range of issues, including:
- Driving over rough surfaces or potholes
- Collisions
- Hitting a curb
- Wear and tear
If you encounter any of these situations and are concerned about the alignment of your BMW’s wheels, there are specific indicators to look out for. You can read all about them in the next section.
The Tell-Tale Signs of Misaligned Wheels
There are several clear warning signs that your BMW wheels may need to be realigned. Should you see any of the symptoms below, we recommend visiting our experts at Gent’s Garage for a complete BMW wheel alignment check-up:
- Steering Wheel Alignment: A steering wheel that doesn’t remain straight while driving on a straight road is a classic indication of wheel misalignment.
- Tyre Noise: Unusual squealing sounds from your tyres, particularly during turns, can signal that your BMW wheels are misaligned.
- Handling Issues: Struggling to perform swift manoeuvres or driving straight at high speeds could be a sign of wheel alignment problems.
- Vehicle Pulling: If your BMW tends to veer off to one side when you’re driving on a straight path, it’s likely a result of wheel misalignment.
- Irregular Tyre Wear: If your tyres show uneven wear, with certain areas more eroded than others, this is a significant sign of misalignment.
- Increased Fuel Usage: Misaligned wheels can increase rolling resistance for your tyres, leading to decreased fuel economy.
- Steering Wheel Shaking: A vibrating steering wheel, especially noticeable at higher speeds, could indicate your BMW wheels are out of alignment.
Not only does wheel misalignment cause your BMW tyres to deteriorate faster, but it reduces fuel efficiency and safety.
Experiencing any of these issues? They could be early warning signs of tyre misalignment. Bring your BMW to our expert technicians at Gent’s Garage for a quality, first-time fix.
The Benefits of Correct Wheel Alignment
Maintaining proper BMW wheel alignment offers numerous benefits, enhancing not only the quality of your drive but also providing financial savings and ensuring greater safety.
Here’s why keeping your wheels aligned is a wise decision:
- Improved Fuel Efficiency: Proper alignment decreases the resistance your tyres face against the road, leading to less fuel consumption and better fuel efficiency.
- Long-Term Savings: Regular wheel alignment results in financial savings over time. This includes reduced fuel costs, extended tyre life and avoiding costly repairs due to misalignment.
- Lesser Wear on Vehicle Components: Misaligned wheels put extra strain on your vehicle’s suspension and steering systems, accelerating wear and tear and potentially leading to expensive maintenance costs. Aligning your wheels removes this stress, prolonging the life of these components.
- Enhanced Handling: BMWs with correctly aligned wheels offer improved handling, contributing to safer and more responsive driving, especially during turns or at high speeds.
- Safer Driving Experience: Uneven tyre wear caused by misalignment can compromise your BMW’s handling and increase your risk of accidents. Proper alignment ensures your vehicle remains stable and secure, enhancing your road safety.
- Extended Tyre Life: Aligned wheels ensure even tyre wear, thereby extending the lifespan of your tyres and preventing premature replacement costs.
- Increased Driving Comfort: A car with aligned wheels minimises vibrations, offering a more comfortable drive and making long trips less fatiguing.
Keep your BMW wheel alignment in check; call Gent’s Garage today for all your maintenance needs.
Save Money by Aligning your Wheels Correctly
Proper wheel alignment can result in significant financial savings, which may vary based on:
- Your specific BMW model
- Driving patterns
- Driving frequency
Research indicates that misaligned wheels can decrease fuel efficiency by up to 7%. By maintaining correct wheel alignment, you can enhance your vehicle’s fuel efficiency, leading to noticeable reductions in fuel expenditures.
Now, that doesn’t sound bad at all, especially with today’s fuel prices.
For example, if you drive 15,000 miles annually in a vehicle that averages 30 miles per gallon, with fuel priced at £6.60 per gallon, aligning your BMW wheels properly could save you approximately £220 each year on fuel alone.
Beyond fuel savings, using the correct wheel alignment for your BMW extends the lifespan of your tyres. This delay in the need for tyre replacements can lead to further financial benefits.
At Gent’s Garage, our experienced BMW experts are dedicated to ensuring your wheels are perfectly aligned, helping you sidestep these additional expenses.
Ultimately, the financial advantages of wheel alignment, from reduced tyre wear and enhanced fuel efficiency to decrease strain on your vehicle, can certainly add up. Yet, perhaps the most critical benefit is the improved safety it provides for you, your passengers and all road users.
In Summary
Ensuring your BMW’s wheels are correctly aligned enhances your vehicle’s safety, performance and efficiency.
With benefits including reduced tyre wear, enhanced fuel efficiency, lower accident risks and reduced repair costs, the importance of regular wheel alignment cannot be overstated.
Should you have any concerns about your BMW wheel alignment, Gent’s Garage is here to help.
Our skilled technicians are dedicated to maintaining your BMW at its best, providing you with a driving experience that is not only safer and more economical but also more enjoyable overall.
