Get Your Sprinter’s Wheels Aligned at the Best Garage in Houston

Your Sprinter’s wheels must be aligned accurately in order for the tread of your tires to always make contact with the road the way they’re meant to. A good grip to the road will not only prolong the lifespan of your tires, but also ensure your car handles safely and allows you to accelerate and decelerate with minimal effort. Bad wheel alignment can impede all of these factors, so seeking alignment at a great garage is essential.

The Importance of Wheel Alignment

Good wheel alignment is needed to insure your Sprinter handles safely. A strong grip on the road can make all the difference when emergency braking is required. Furthermore, on wet or icy roads it reduces the risk of unpredictable handling. This is because tire tread is specifically designed to sink past the topmost layer of liquid, allowing constant contact with the road; this is an essential part of the tire’s design, helping to increase road safety in adverse conditions.

Poor wheel alignment can cause general handling issues which are hard to ignore and can quickly become dangerous. A car with misaligned wheels will want to list to one side when the driver’s hands are not on the wheel. Whether your Sprinter lists left or right depends on the location of the discrepancy, and how much you have to fight against this is usually a strong indicator of the severity of the issue.

As poor wheel alignment frequently causes parts of the tire other than the tread to make contact with the ground, accelerated wear can also be expected. While the tire tread is designed to take a heavy beating from varying road textures, from the freeway to gravel roads, the sidewall isn’t. Therefore, ignoring alignment problems can result in you having to buy new sets of tires regularly and at great expense.

The performance and general health of your Sprinter will also take a heavy hit if an alignment issue goes unchecked. Vans are often expected to carry heavy loads, and because of this the tires have to work extra hard to ensure traction. When they become misaligned, the tread will not be able to properly grip the tarmac, leading to reduced performance. Other parts of your Sprinter, such as the engine, will have to work overtime to make up for this, which can contribute to the acceleration of part wear and an increased risk of related issues.

The Alignment Process

Wheel alignment is a complicated process that must be done at a garage by a professional technician. A technician will use specialized clamps that are secured to the wheels of your car and connected to a computer to take precise alignment measurements. The mechanic can then use this information to make any necessary adjustments to the wheels, axles, and suspension, ensuring your vehicle adheres to the correct alignment settings, as outlined in the car’s owner’s manual.

The precise alignment varies for each make and model of vehicle, so someone with expert knowledge aligning your wheels is essential. The type of alignment that your Sprinter requires is also determined by whether your vehicle is four-wheel, all-wheel, or front-wheel drive, as each of these all require a different process.

European Service Center

At European Service Center we’re more than happy to assess your Sprinter for signs of poor wheel alignment, as well as complete the delicate adjustment process to ensure your vehicle performs perfectly. While we’re working on your car we’ll even take a look at your suspension and give you completely transparent advice should any changes need to be made.

We’re ideally situated for drivers in Houston, Dallas, and Plano, TX as well as those in the Alpharetta, Chamblee, Cumming, Norcross, Dunwoody, Buckhead, Roswell, and Atlanta, GA areas, meaning that if you’re a Georgian or a Texan, quality auto repairs and servicing is never more than a short drive away. At European Service Center you’ll also get the 5-star customer service that comes with a family-owned and operated business. Put simply, we’ll treat you as one of our own! In fact, we’re so passionate about treating you and your Sprinter right that we offer a 3-year/36,000 mile warranty as standard. Call us today to book your appointment.

* Mercedes-Benz Sprinter image credit goes to: DarthArt.