Maintaining proper truck alignment ensures maximum efficiency for commercial tires, improving fuel economy and steering. As a result, your vehicles are less likely to experience problems that cause delays and interfere with your services. Learn more about this essential maintenance practice in the following guide.
Why Is Truck Alignment Important?
When fully rigged, commercial trucks typically include four to 18 tires, all of which must travel in a straight line for optimal handling, fuel economy, and safety.
If even one wheel is out of alignment, it can strain the axles and suspension, causing the vehicle to pull to the right or the left. When this occurs, different tires wear down more quickly, forcing you to purchase replacements prematurely. Worn tires also compromise safety when stopping and driving, putting your employees and others on the road at risk.
When Should You Schedule Truck Alignment?
A professional should perform standard pre-operation checks to find irregular wear or positioning, particularly if a driver has previously reported vibrations or handling difficulty. In many cases, alignment addresses these issues and improves safety.
Truck alignment should be a standard part of your maintenance procedures. It’s typically performed after the first three months of operation, or between the first 15,000 to 30,000 miles driven, whichever comes first. Wheels should also be realigned after a truck travels over unpaved or unusually rough roads, experiences an accident or malfunction, or requires suspension or axle repairs or replacement.
If you need to schedule wheel alignments for your fleet, turn to Texas Commercial Tire. Serving the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, our business offers a range of services to keep your vehicles’ tires in top shape. We also carry top-quality commercial tires from top brands, including Goodyear®, Kelly Tires®.& Imports With more than 50 years of combined experience, our staff has the knowledge and expertise to help you get the most out of your vehicles. Call (972) 225-6640 to schedule an appointment, or find out more about our work online.