Proper commercial vehicle wheel alignment is essential for maintaining the overall health of your vehicle. Poor alignment can lead to premature tyre wear and reduced fuel efficiency.

Alignment also plays a vital role in driver safety. Regular wheel alignment checks for commercial vehicles and trailers help prevent unnecessary repairs and ensure smooth, safe driving conditions.

Josam commercial vehicle wheel alignment equipment delivers professional-grade precision for commercial vehicle alignments. With advanced technology, Josam systems ensure accurate adjustments to keep your fleet running efficiently. 

ALIGNMENT IN NUMBERS

Statistics show how essential proper wheel alignment is for commercial vehicles. Misalignment affects handling, increases costs, and leads to excessive fuel use and premature tyre wear.

• 70% of vehicles are misaligned

• 60% of vehicles needing alignment have worn or damaged parts

With a properly aligned vehicle, you can achieve:

• up to 3% fuel savings

• up to 15% extended tyre life.

Potential annual savings = £1,820/year per vehicle*

• Fuel savings = £1,591/year

• Tyre savings = £280/year 

SIGNS YOU NEED A WHEEL ALIGNMENT

Watch for these warning signs indicating that your commercial vehicles or trailers need alignment. Addressing them promptly improves safety and efficiency:

• Vehicle drifts or pulls to one side

• Steering wheel is off-centre

• Crooked steering wheel

• Squealing tyres

• Steering hesitation

• Uneven tyre wear

• Vibration 

HOW OFTEN SHOULD COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ALIGNMENT BE PERFORMED?

AES advises conducting wheel alignment at least once per year. For best results, proactive businesses perform alignments 3 to 4 times annually to identify issues early.

Additionally, alignments should be done when new steering components are installed, tyres are changed, or steering-related defects are reported. An initial alignment is also recommended between15,000 and 30,000 miles, or within the first three months of use. 

BENEFITS OF WHEEL ALIGNMENT

Carrying out regular wheel alignment checks and being proactive can see benefits including:

• Improved fuel efficiency – Correct wheel alignment reduces rolling resistance, leading to better fuel economy.

• Extended tyre lifespan – Alignment prevents uneven tread wear, helping your tyres last longer.

• Enhanced safety – Properly aligned wheels improve handling and stability, reducing the risk of accidents.

• Better steering and control – Misaligned wheels can cause the vehicle to pull to one side or make steering difficult, while proper alignment ensures smoother handling.

• Reduced suspension wear – Alignment minimises strain on suspension components, saving you money on repairs over time.

• Smoother ride – Proper alignment allows the suspension to function as intended, deliveringa more comfortable driving experience. 

Summary

Whether you operate a fleet and want to bring wheel alignment in-house, or are looking to provide it as a service, AES is here to assist. We offer a free, no-obligation demonstration on all our HGV wheel alignment systems to help you get started. Call 01977 600 688 or email info@aesuk.com to book your demo today.

*Based on 3-axles, 8-tyres, 8mpg, covering 100,000 miles per year

This article was sponsored by AES.

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