Steering & Alignment: How Poor Handling Impacts Fleet Costs

The Real Cost of Poor Steering and Alignment in Fleet Vehicles

Every kilometer your fleet drives adds wear to suspension and steering components. Over time, misalignment and steering issues lead to uneven tire wear, reduced fuel efficiency, and higher maintenance costs. In Edmonton, where potholes and harsh winters put trucks to the test, regular steering and alignment inspections are one of the most effective ways to control expenses and protect your fleet’s performance. FleetGo Heavy Duty helps businesses stay safe and profitable with professional alignment and steering maintenance for diesel trucks.

Why Steering and Alignment Matter for Heavy-Duty Fleets

When a heavy-duty truck’s wheels aren’t properly aligned, more than handling suffers. Misalignment increases rolling resistance, forcing the engine to work harder and burn more fuel. Uneven alignment also accelerates tire wear, which means fleets replace tires more often than necessary.

A well-aligned truck moves straight and smooth, minimizing friction between the tires and road surface. This balance improves steering precision, braking response, and driver control on long routes. Proper alignment also extends the life of suspension parts, reducing long-term costs across your fleet. FleetGo’s suspension repair specialists ensure these critical components stay balanced and properly supported for safer handling.

Common Signs of Poor Alignment in Fleet Vehicles

Fleet operators should watch for early signs of alignment or steering problems before they lead to safety issues or expensive downtime:

• Truck drifts or pulls to one side while driving
• Uneven or scalloped tire wear patterns
• Steering wheel feels off-center even when driving straight
• Excess vibration at highway speeds
• Increased fuel consumption with no other mechanical cause

If your trucks show these warning signs, FleetGo’s truck and trailer alignment experts can correct the geometry, balance the steering, and restore smooth handling.

How Edmonton’s Roads Affect Steering and Alignment

Edmonton’s roads are rough on heavy-duty vehicles. Deep potholes, frost heaves, and winter road salt all contribute to premature wear on steering and suspension systems. Every impact or bump shifts wheel angles slightly out of alignment, and repeated stress eventually throws the entire system off balance.

Even a minor misalignment from a pothole can increase tire wear by up to 20 percent. Combined with winter corrosion, it’s easy for small issues to escalate if not checked regularly. Edmonton’s conditions make routine fleet maintenance programs essential for consistent performance and safety. FleetGo’s preventive maintenance services include alignment checks designed specifically for Alberta’s roads and climate.

How Regular Inspections Lower Fleet Costs

Preventive alignment inspections are one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce operating expenses. Proper alignment lowers fuel consumption, keeps tires in rotation longer, and improves safety for every driver on the road.

FleetGo recommends checking alignment during each scheduled service or every 20,000 to 25,000 kilometers. By maintaining steering precision, tire balance, and suspension performance, fleets can extend tire life by thousands of kilometers while keeping fuel costs stable.

FleetGo’s technicians include alignment testing as part of their preventive maintenance services, ensuring each inspection tracks vehicle geometry, steering feedback, and tire wear patterns across every truck in the fleet. Fleets that maintain alignment on schedule save up to 15 percent annually in combined fuel and tire expenses, improving both performance and bottom-line efficiency.

FleetGo’s Professional Alignment Services in Edmonton

FleetGo Heavy Duty provides advanced alignment solutions for diesel fleets across Alberta. Their technicians use precision equipment to measure camber, caster, and toe angles, ensuring every truck handles properly under load. Combined with suspension repair and steering maintenance, FleetGo helps fleets reduce wear, improve efficiency, and keep drivers safe year-round.

Maintain your fleet’s performance and lower your total cost of ownership with Edmonton’s trusted diesel specialists. Visit FleetGo Heavy Duty to explore full-service maintenance options, or schedule an inspection today to book your next fleet alignment check.

‍