As evidence of damage caused by greenhouse gas emissions continues to stack up, there is increasing pressure on governments and large contributing industries to take responsibility for the part they play.
Particularly for transport companies, carbon emissions produced by vehicles is a contributor to the problem. And while pushes to use renewable energy and electric-powered vehicles might be futile for now, there are less drastic steps that can be taken to ensure that transport and other organisations are minimising their on-road carbon footprint.
Reducing your carbon footprint with a wheel alignment
Carbon (cO2) emissions produced by vehicles are directly related to fuel consumption; the more fuel you consume, the higher your carbon emissions. Especially for large trucks and semi-trailers, having incorrectly aligned wheels means that your vehicle is working against the tread of your tyres, increasing your rolling resistance and making it work much harder to propel you forwards.
In any instance where your vehicle must exert additional force to complete its function, your fuel usage will rise comparably. And for every time your fuel consumption rises, so too do your carbon emissions.
While in the scheme of just one vehicle, it might seem that a misalignment wouldn’t contribute in any substantial way to a rise in fuel consumption, however, that would be misguided. Particularly for industries travelling long distances like freight and transport, even a marginal misalignment can create a domino effect for fuel consumption and subsequently increased carbon emissions.
How to tell if my vehicle needs a wheel alignment
There are a number of signs that will alert you to your vehicle requiring a wheel alignment. However, in absence of these indicators, it’s still a good idea to have an alignment check at least twice a year for long-distance vehicles. Some of the tell-tale signs that your vehicle requires a wheel alignment can include:
· Vehicle pulling to one side
· Uneven or undue tyre wear
· A loose or vibrating steering wheel
· Screeching tyres
· Substandard steering or suspension systems
· You’ve hit a pothole or speedbump at pace
Benefits of a wheel alignment
In addition to reducing your carbon emissions, there is a range of benefits for keeping your vehicles up to date with proper alignment and wheel balancing services. These can include:
· Increased fuel efficiency
· Maximised tyre life
· Smoother and safer driving experiences for you and your team
· Save you money on frequent and expensive maintenance costs
Getting a wheel alignment at Big Wheels
At Big Wheels, we’ve been providing wheel alignment services to vehicles of all shapes and sizes for over 35 years. Using state-of-the-art technology including integrated gyro and inclinometers for precise measurements, our team can guarantee the consistency of our work for every vehicle we work on. Using this system, we are also able to drastically reduce the potential for operator errors and ensure that your vehicle is in the highest condition when you get it back on the road.
If you’re looking to minimise your carbon footprint, reduce fuel costs and provide a more efficient driving experience to your fleet, book in with the wheel alignment experts at Big Wheels.