Volkswagen Wheel Alignment
Your Volkswagen needs to be operating safely and efficiently at all times. To ensure this, your wheels need to be properly aligned.
In this guide, we uncover:
- Why having your wheels aligned properly is crucial for your safety and the safety of others when driving.
- Indicators that suggest your Volkswagen wheels could be out of alignment.
- The financial advantages and improved efficiency you have when keeping your wheels properly aligned.
- …and more!
At RS Autotechnik, we put our customer’s safety first. We help provide the best-in-class customer service and attention to detail when it comes to Volkswagen repairs, maintenance, and servicing.
Contact our team of VW experts for all your repair and servicing needs!
What is Wheel Alignment?
The wheel alignment process involves adjusting suspension and chassis components to correctly align the wheels in your Volkswagen. They need to be parallel to each other and perpendicular to the road at all times, which helps with performance, handling, and safety.
The two main types of wheel alignment available in your Volkswagen are two-wheel (or front-end) and four-wheel alignments.
Volkswagens with a solid rear axle, typically found in trucks and older VW models, may only require two-wheel alignments. Adjusting only the front wheels when setting the camber, caster, and toe to align with the vehicle centreline.
Modern Volkswagen vehicles have independent suspension all-round which necessitates four-wheel alignment. Adjusting all four wheels at once.
At RS Autotechnik, we adjust all four wheels to high precision. Adjusting the camber, caster, and toe to ensure that the wheels are properly aligned before leaving our workshop.
The setup of your suspension components in your Volkswagen will determine which type of wheel alignment you need.
What Causes Wheel Misalignment?
Your Volkswagen wheels may become misaligned if the following happens:
- Driving over rough surfaces or potholes
- Collisions
- Hitting a curb
- Wear and tear
If you have experienced any of these when driving, or you feel your wheels are misaligned, then read on, so we can show you what to look out for:
Indicators of Misaligned Volkswagen Wheels
Certain signs may suggest that your Volkswagen wheels require realignment. If you notice any of these signs, we recommend visiting our specialists at RS Autotechnik for a thorough Volkswagen wheel alignment assessment:
- Steering Wheel Position: If your steering wheel isn’t straight when driving on a straight road, it could indicate misaligned wheels.
- Tyre Noises: Strange squealing sounds from your tyres, especially during turns, might indicate misaligned Volkswagen wheels.
- Difficulty Handling: Trouble with making sharp turns or maintaining straight driving at high speeds might signal wheel alignment issues.
- Vehicle Drift: If your Volkswagen tends to pull to one side while driving straight, it could be due to wheel misalignment.
- Uneven Tyre Wear: Uneven tyre wear, with some areas more worn than others, is a significant sign of misalignment.
- Increased Fuel Consumption: Misaligned wheels can increase tyre rolling resistance, leading to reduced fuel efficiency.
- Steering Wheel Vibration: A vibrating steering wheel, especially noticeable at higher speeds, could indicate misaligned Volkswagen wheels.
Misaligned wheels not only accelerate tyre wear on your Volkswagen but also decrease fuel efficiency and safety.
Experiencing any of these problems? They could be early indicators of tyre misalignment. Bring your Volkswagen to our skilled technicians at RS Autotechnik for effective and reliable repairs.
Advantages of Correct Wheel Alignment
Maintaining proper Volkswagen wheel alignment offers several advantages. It not only improves your driving experience but also helps you save money and ensures safety.
Here’s why it’s smart to keep your wheels aligned:
- Better Fuel Efficiency: When your wheels are aligned correctly, there’s less resistance, which means your tyres don’t have to work as hard. This leads to using less fuel and better mileage.
- Long-Term Savings: Regular alignment saves you money over time. You’ll spend less on fuel, your tyres will last longer, and you won’t have to pay for expensive repairs caused by misalignment.
- Less Strain on Vehicle Parts: Misaligned wheels can strain your car’s suspension and steering systems, causing them to wear out faster. Aligning your wheels reduces this strain, making these parts last longer.
- Improved Handling: With properly aligned wheels, your Volkswagen handles better, making driving safer and more responsive, especially around corners or at high speeds.
- Safer Driving: Misalignment can cause uneven tyre wear, which affects how your car handles and increases the risk of accidents. Proper alignment keeps your vehicle stable and safe on the road.
- Longer Tyre Lifespan: Aligning your wheels ensures that your tyres wear evenly, which means they’ll last longer, and you won’t have to replace them as often.
- Enhanced Comfort: Aligned wheels reduce vibrations, making your drive more comfortable, especially on long journeys.
Make sure your Volkswagen’s wheels are aligned properly; contact RS Autotechnik today for all your maintenance needs.
Reduce Costs With Correct Wheel Alignment
Wheel alignments help reduce vehicle expenses; the amount you can save will depend on:
- Volkswagen model
- Driving habits
- How often you drive
Research has suggested that misaligned wheels can decrease fuel efficiency by up to 7%. You can therefore reduce your fuel bill significantly if you have your wheels properly aligned in your VW.
This is great news with today’s high fuel prices!
If you drive 15,000 miles every year in a car that usually gets 30 miles per gallon, and fuel costs £6.60 per gallon, making sure your Volkswagen’s wheels are aligned correctly might save you around £220 each year just on fuel.
Correct wheel alignment goes beyond just fuel savings though, you can also extend tyre lifespan as tyres need to be replaced less often.
At RS Autotechnik, our experienced team of VW specialists is here to make sure your wheels are aligned properly to avoid unnecessary repair bills.
Wheel alignments are essential if you want to remain safe on the road, reduce uneven tyre wear and increase fuel efficiency.
In Summary
Making sure your Volkswagen’s wheels are properly aligned improves your car’s safety, performance, and efficiency.
Correct wheel alignment is crucial, offering advantages such as less tyre wear, better fuel efficiency, decreased accident chances, and lower repair expenses.
If you’re worried about your Volkswagen’s wheel alignment, RS Autotechnik is available to assist you.
Our expert technicians are committed to keeping your Volkswagen in top shape, ensuring a driving experience that’s safer, more economical, and ultimately more enjoyable for you.
