Why you should check your car’s wheel alignment every season
Monday 28th April 2025
How prepared is your car as the weather starts to change? Did you know that your car’s components are affected over time by atmospheric changes? Your tyres and wheels are especially impacted by changes in temperature. Discover why the change in seasons is a great time for car maintenance checks, how the weather affects your tyres, and how you can save money by checking your wheel alignment.
How does the change in weather affect your tyres?
The bleak UK winters are rough for your car. It has to work so much harder to maintain traction on slippery roads and manage its fuel efficiency in lower temperatures. The darker days and snowy conditions make it difficult to see potholes, kerbs and other road hazards that can puncture tyres and damage your car’s wheels.
Fluctuations in external temperature, such as freezing conditions, can degrade your car’s tyres, causing them to crack or split. Your car may also be susceptible to extreme tyre degradation if it is kept in storage and is rarely driven.
Your wheels constantly take the strain of any journey – tyres need to support the car load whilst maintaining safe grip and handling. That’s why it’s key to give your wheels some TLC after a tough winter.
While warmer weather might mean less car use, it's equally crucial to ensure your car is prepared as colder seasons approach to maintain its safety. Formula One Autocentres can do this for you for free with a 10-step safety check.
Why is wheel alignment important?
Do you want your tyres to have a longer lifespan? And have the reassurance that your car is in a safe, manageable condition whenever you or your loved ones are driving? What about wanting to make your fuel last longer in a cost-of-living crisis? Then it’s essential that your car’s wheels are aligned.
You don’t have to be a clumsy driver to have misaligned wheels. As we mentioned before, a lot of the bumps won’t have been your fault. But it’s vital you regularly check the condition of your tyres and your wheel alignment to ensure your car’s performance is smooth, stable, and safe.
Symptoms of misaligned wheels
- Uneven or excessive tyre wear.
- Crooked steering wheel.
- Your car pulls to one side.
- Vehicle crabbing.
- Increased fuel consumption.
- Unexpected understeer or oversteer.
If your wheel alignment is left wonky and misaligned, it could prove extremely costly and inconvenient to fix. Tyres wear out more rapidly, your suspension comes under enormous strain, and your brakes won’t work as efficiently – it can impact your entire steering system, even if alignment is out by just a few degrees. Which is why regular car maintenance is important for your safety and your bank balance!
How to fix your car’s wheel alignment
The good news is you don’t have to get your hands dirty when it comes to checking your wheel alignment. Formula One Autocentres offers a free, comprehensive wheel alignment check with thorough inspections of the wheel plates, suspension, tyre condition, and more. You don’t pay anything unless an issue is uncovered, and then a quote will be provided for the issue to be fixed.
Other seasonal maintenance checks
- Lights – are your interior and exterior bulbs all working correctly?
- Fluids – screen wash, oil, antifreeze, and coolant
- Tyre condition – pressure and wear
- Windscreen wipers and washers
It’s also recommended that your brakes are regularly checked and that your air con performance is up to speed, whether warmer weather is incoming or a chillier atmosphere is looming. Book a free 10-point safety check at your local Formula One Autocentres garage today to receive the above checks and more!
Is your car ready for this season?
Wheel alignment is an indispensable maintenance check that should be carried out at least once a year to ensure your vehicle is safe, comfortable to drive, and not costing you a fortune. Book your free wheel alignment check or find out more wheel alignment FAQs.
