BMW Wheel Alignment
Your BMW is a well-refined machine that takes you everywhere. But without proper wheel alignment, your handling and safety will be compromised. Not to mention your wallet!
With correct wheel alignment, you can increase the lifespan of your tyres and reduce the risk of a crash.
At Somerset Vehicle Services, our team of BMW experts have created this ultimate guide to wheel alignment. We help identify misaligned wheels and explain how much proper wheel alignment could save you each year.
Thanks to our decades of combined experience, BMW knowledge, and specialist tools, Somerset Vehicle Services is on hand to fix your wheel alignment issue and keep you safe on the road.
Read on to discover all you need to know about BMW wheel alignment checks.
What is Wheel Alignment?
Wheel alignment involves adjusting suspension and chassis components to make sure that your wheels are properly aligned with each other and the road. Both left and right wheels at the front need to be parallel to each other, and perpendicular (90 degrees) to the road.
In most cases, all four wheels in your BMW need to be adjusted to ensure handling and road safety. The main types of wheel alignment checks are two-wheel alignment and four-wheel alignment.
Two-wheel or front-end alignment involves the adjustment to only the front wheels on your BMW. Typically only common amongst older BMW models with solid rear axles, front-end alignment involves adjusting the camber, caster, and toe-in. A Somerset Vehicle Services technician will adjust this for you during your visit to our workshop.
All-wheel or four-wheel alignments involve adjusting the camber, caster and toe-in for all four wheels. Most modern BMW models have independent suspension on both the front and rear and therefore need to be adjusted independently.
The type of wheel alignment you need on your BMW will depend on its chassis components and suspension setup.
How Can My BMW Wheels Become Misaligned?
Hitting kerbs, potholes, or driving on uneven surfaces can all result in wheel misalignment. Also, over time, suspension components naturally wear down on your BMW and this could cause your wheels to become misaligned.
If you believe you have misaligned wheels or want to find out how to detect misaligned wheels, then keep reading as our experts have created the ultimate checklist.
How To Identify Misaligned Wheels in Your BMW
There are several clear signs that your wheels might not be aligned. If you notice any of these issues, it’s a good idea to bring your BMW to our technicians at Somerset Vehicle Services for a wheel alignment check:
- Off-centre steering wheel: If the steering wheel isn’t in the middle when you’re driving straight, it could mean that the wheels are not aligned.
- Noisy tyres: Wheels that aren’t aligned well can make the tyres squeal, especially when you’re making turns.
- Difficult vehicle control: Turning suddenly or driving fast can be tricky if one of your wheels is out of alignment.
- Vehicle drifting to one side: Misaligned wheels may cause your vehicle to drift to one side even on a straight road.
- Uneven tyre wear: Wheel misalignment can lead to uneven wear on your tyres, meaning some may wear out faster than others.
- Reduced fuel efficiency: If your wheels aren’t aligned, it can make your vehicle use more fuel by increasing the resistance of the tyres.
- Steering wheel shakes: Feeling vibrations in the steering wheel, especially at high speeds, might be a sign that your wheels are misaligned.
As soon as you notice these signs, you must have your wheel alignment checked. At Somerset Vehicle Services, our team of BMW experts are on hand to assist in keeping your vehicle safe on the road. Not fixing a wheel alignment issue will compromise your safety and impact maintenance costs.
Advantages of BMW Wheel Alignments
Aligning your BMW wheels properly has many benefits, including:
- Improved fuel efficiency: When your wheels are correctly aligned, it reduces resistance on the tyres. This, in turn, lowers fuel usage and improves fuel efficiency.
- Cost savings: Proper wheel alignment helps you save money on tyre replacements, fuel, and other vehicle repairs.
- Reduced stress on vehicle parts: If your wheels are not aligned, it can cause unnecessary strain on your car’s suspension and steering components, leading to expensive repairs. Aligning the wheels helps alleviate this stress, extending the lifespan of these parts.
- Better vehicle handling: Aligned wheels enhance your car’s steering and handling, especially during turns and high-speed driving. This not only makes the ride smoother but also more comfortable.
- Safer driving: Misaligned wheels can result in uneven tyre wear, affecting your car’s handling and increasing the risk of accidents. Wheel alignment ensures your vehicle behaves correctly, reducing the chance of accidents.
- Longer tyre life: Aligning your tyres leads to a prolonged lifespan and even wear, ultimately saving you money in the long term.
- Improved driving comfort: Well-aligned wheels contribute to a smoother and more comfortable ride, making your driving experience more enjoyable.
Aligning Your BMW Wheels Properly Will Save You Money
You could be saving a lot of money on maintenance and fuel if your BMW wheels are properly aligned. How much you could save will depend on which BMW model you drive, your driving habits and how many miles you drive. Typically, studies have shown that you could save around 7% on fuel costs with properly aligned wheels.
Let’s use an example: If you cover 15,000 miles and achieve an average of 30 mpg in your BMW, having proper wheel alignment could result in a fuel saving of around £220 per year. This assumes an average fuel cost of £6.60 per gallon in the UK.
The 7% saving does not take into account tyre costs either. With a correct wheel alignment, you can extend the life of your tyres and won’t need to replace them as often. Contact or visit our team at Somerset Vehicle Services today for expert wheel alignments.
BMW Wheel Alignment Checks – in Summary
Your BMW is usually reliable and luxurious. To avoid unwanted repair bills and accidents, it’s best that you have your wheel alignment checked out. Doing so will help improve fuel economy, road safety and the life of your tyres. Your handling will not be affected and can be improved if your wheels are properly aligned too.
If you have read this article and think that your BMW wheels are not aligned, then reach out to your local BMW specialists at Somerset Vehicle Services today. We help you keep safe on the road by performing expert wheel alignments and safety checks. With a knowledgeable team on hand to assist, we get your BMW working safely and back on the road in no time. Call or visit us today!
