As winter fades from McHenry, it's time to prepare you vehicle for summer. That includes having your wheels aligned.

Whatever the weather in McHenry today, one thing is for certain; the last dregs of winter are fading into the rearview mirror. Warm and sunny days are ahead. You and, hopefully, your car, truck or SUV have survived without too much damage. Of course, it’s likely that the steering and suspension of your vehicle has taken a beating over the winter months.

Winter in McHenry and surrounding areas tend to rough up the steering and suspension of cars, trucks and SUVs. And, even if the components survive the experience, it’s entirely likely that the alignment of your vehicle is no longer quite aligned.

Alignment of a vehicle’s steering system is the process of ensuring that the wheels track properly, that the vehicle remains on course without significant corrections and the steering is responsive.

If the car, truck or SUV is going down a straight, smooth road, without any potholes, and you take your hands off the steering wheel, it should continue straight (if you try this, keep your hands close to the steering wheel so you can quickly take control again).

If the vehicle is out of alignment, it’s likely to drift one way or the other.

Another problem when your car, truck or SUV is out of alignment is that it creates tension among your steering and suspension components. That tension can shorten the lifespan of those components.

In the meantime, a vehicle that is out of alignment will cause additional and uneven wear to the tires. Qualified auto repair technicians can often look at uneven wear on tires and tell you what is wrong, from misalignment to worn steering and suspension parts.

There’s not much you can do to stop winter in McHenry and the surrounding area, but, as soon as you’re sure the worst of winter has passed, it’s a good idea to have your car, truck or SUV’s steering aligned. Once aligned, you’re ready for smooth sailing through summer.