What are the warning signs of damaged alloys?
The effects of damage to your alloy wheels can be costly and highly dangerous if not addressed properly and will likely lead to blowouts, mechanical issues, handling problems and increased fuel consumption. All of these will severely impact how much the car dealership can value your car at, which is why it’s vital to address any alloy wheel problems as soon as you notice them. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, there are several warning signs to keep an eye out for. Here are the main signs that your alloys are damaged and require repairs, it also helps to look for companies to carry out your repairs who are approved in main dealerships and accident repair centres such as us at Alloy Logic.
Shaking or vibrating when steering
If you’ve spotted that your steering column or seating is shaking or vibrating when driving, this means that your tyres are making uneven contact with the surface of the road and that your wheels could be buckled. It’s vital that you get your alloys looked over as this puts you at risk of blow-outs, poor steering and a lack of control over your vehicle, all of which are dangerous and would be costly for the car dealership to rectify.
Poor handling
A symptom of damaged alloys is that the car will be difficult to handle when driving. If you’re struggling to steer your car or notice that it isn’t steering as you’re used to, you should take it as a sign that your alloys are damaged and the safety of your vehicle is compromised. Damaged alloys can significantly impact the tyre pressure, steering and performance of your car, which could lead to an accident or other dangerous situations to arise, not ideal if you’re planning to hand your car back once your agreement ends.
There may be visible damage
Whether you’ve clipped a kerb, have hit a pothole at speed or have spotted some visible damage to your alloys, there could be underlying problems that extend beyond the superficial. As well as having to pay out for cosmetic damage, if you overlook your alloy repairs you may have to spend more money getting mechanical damage fixed in the future. Either that or the car company will get the work done and will charge you for the privilege.
Your tyre deflates
If your tyre is constantly deflating, this should be a sure-fire warning sign that something is going wrong. Alloy wheels are designed to fit flush against your tyre, and particularly in financed cars, there should be no issues with tyres deflating. If this is happening, you likely have a problem with your alloys that needs to be addressed immediately.
Increased fuel consumption
Increased fuel consumption is a red flag that there may be problems with your alloys. When alloy wheels are damaged, your engine has to work twice as hard to keep your wheels spinning, meaning that your fuel consumption will be higher and more costly. Not only this, but your engine will age faster and quicker damage may occur meaning that the dealership may lose some resell value.
Journeys take longer
Alloy damage will likely increase the length of your journey as your car will struggle to reach higher speeds in shorter amounts of time. This is a problem for car companies as the vehicle will be working harder, which will put pressure on the mechanics of the car – thus making it harder to sell for a higher price.
As well as giving your car aesthetic appeal, alloy wheels provide an extra level of structural integrity, and protection and can enhance your driving experience, which is why it’s so important to make sure that they are functioning as they should. You must have had alloy specialists look over your wheels before you return your car to the dealership to make sure that you’re not paying out unnecessarily and to guarantee that you can return your vehicle with ease.
If you’d like more advice or would like us to repair the alloy wheels on your finance car, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch today for our trusted advice and recommendations.