Wheel alignment is often overlooked by busy Cedar Crest and Isleta motorists until serious tire damage has been done. One wheel can be knocked out of alignment by hitting a curb or pothole on a Algodones interstate or surface street.

When a vehicle’s out of alignment, one or more of the wheels does not track true and pulls against the others. This causes several serious problems. First off, the tires will wear out faster and will need to be replaced prematurely. It could also lead to expensive minivan suspension problems.

But the big issue for Cedar Crest, Isleta, and Albuquerque car owners is safety. When your minivan wheels are out of alignment, the vehicle will pull to one side, which could lead to an accident. When you’re out of alignment, you should have it taken care of right away at Dr J’s Auto Clinic in Albuquerque.

When undergoing an alignment service at Dr J’s Auto Clinic, your minivan is put on an alignment rack where the tires, steering and suspension parts are checked for damage. Then the alignment is charted and checked against the factory settings.

Precision adjustments are made to bring the wheels back into alignment. This gets all four wheels going in exactly the same direction.

Isleta auto owners should be aware of the signs of alignment problems. These include the car pulling to one side. Also, the steering wheel may not be centered when you’re going straight. If you see the edges of one or more tires rapidly wearing down, you should have your Algodones service center look it over. If you’ve been in an auto accident in NM that involved a wheel, you should get your alignment checked.

Obviously, a big jolt can seriously knock things out of alignment, but Cedar Crest drivers also need to understand that a series of smaller ones can add up.

That’s why auto manufacturers recommend periodic alignment checks. If your minivan owner’s manual doesn’t specify, once a year might be appropriate. Or check with Jay Waterfield or your service advisor at Dr J’s Auto Clinic in Albuquerque.

One thing’s for sure: the cost of the alignment at Dr J’s Auto Clinic is cheaper for Cedar Crest auto owners than having to buy a couple of new tires because of neglect.