Four-Wheel Alignment

Why Is Wheel Alignment Important?

When the wheels are not properly aligned with the rest of the car’s suspension, it can affect how your car handles and how the tires wear. Uneven tread on your tires can make driving on slick or uneven roads unstable and unsafe. Worn tires cannot properly grip the road even in optimum conditions. In inclement weather, that instability or lack of grip can carry big risks. In rainy conditions, your car stands a greater chance of hydroplaning. Tires with worn-out treads are not able to gain proper traction on the road when driving on ice or snow, increasing the risks of slide-offs.

A car that drifts to the side or has to have the steering wheel always turned slightly to be kept in a straight line can be difficult to handle in hazardous conditions or when a split-second decision is vital. If you live in an area that has wildlife that routinely crosses the road, high pedestrian traffic, or have small children in the neighborhood, the implications can be staggering.

There are also economic reasons to consider. If your tires have to be replaced more often because of rapid wear, then you’re spending more money than you should. Tires that are in bad shape also lower fuel efficiency, meaning more stops for gas. Long-term alignment issues can even cause widespread damage throughout your car, everywhere from the suspension to the steering. All of these things can add up very quickly, costing you significantly more money than the cost of routine alignments.

What Is a Wheel Alignment?

A wheel alignment is an adjustment of the car’s suspension, the system that connects the wheels and the vehicle so they can move seamlessly as one. At the service appointment, your car is put on a machine that measures the wheel angles. The technician will check three things: camber, toe, and caster. The first two are similar concepts. Camber is the inward or outward angle of the tires when viewed from the front of the car. Toe is the inward or outward angle of the tires viewed from above the car. Too much or too little angle will cause misalignment and needs correction.

Caster is a little more complicated. Cornering, steering, and stability are all affected by the caster angle, which is the term used for the angle of the steering axis when viewed from the side of the vehicle. Not all cars have adjustable caster, but camber and toe are important parts of a four-wheel alignment. The technician will adjust one wheel at a time until they can return the vehicle to the ideal alignment specifications set by the manufacturer.

How Do I Know if I Need a Wheel Alignment?

Has your vehicle started pulling to the side recently? Have you noticed uneven wear on your tires? Does your steering wheel vibrate? These are all signs that it’s time to have your alignment checked. Other signs include noisy steering, a crooked steering wheel when driving straight, and squealing brakes. If your car is showing other symptoms that make you suspect a misalignment, it's time to schedule an appointment sooner rather than later. Scraping, whining, grinding, and similar sounds are serious and should be dealt with immediately to prevent severe damage.

At a minimum, you should be getting a four-wheel alignment (as opposed to a two-wheel alignment, which is either just the front or just the rear set of wheels) every year. Ideally, you should have your wheel alignment checked whenever your car goes in for its regular oil change. However, if your vehicle is showing symptoms of a misalignment, then prompt service is necessary.

What Are the Causes of Wheel Misalignment?

There can be several causes of wheel misalignment. In some cases, it can be normal wear and tear, such as worn ball joints or other parts of the wheel suspension system. Other times, it’s caused by bad road conditions, such as potholes. Hitting a curb can knock your wheels out of alignment, as can accidents. Even a minor impact on the wheels from something as light as a bicycle can push things askew. Bad driving habits, such as running over speed bumps without slowing down, can also cause a misalignment.

It's also important to make sure your car's wheel alignment is checked after making any suspension modifications. Installing new springs or shocks can cause a misalignment. Tire pressure should also be monitored, as it can also be a factor. Your car is a system of working parts, and when there is an issue with one, it can spread to other areas with surprising speed.

What Are the Benefits of Regular Wheel Alignments?

Remember the old saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure? That can be said about your car as well. Whether it’s getting the optimum lifespan out of your tires, not having to spend as much money on gas, or preventing costly repairs, the money spent on maintenance looks like a bargain compared to how much your car can end up costing you if problems are left to grow.

On top of cost, safety is another important consideration. We share our roads with many other people, and it’s important to keep them a safe place for everyone. Your safety and your family’s safety are at risk when you’re in a vehicle that isn’t able to get the best performance out of its tires, wheels, steering, and other systems that could be affected by a misalignment. Whether dealing with inclement weather or sudden, unexpected road hazards, your chances of evading an accident are reduced when your car's alignment is compromised.

Regular Wheel Alignments Are Part of Proper Vehicle Maintenance