When Do I Need a Wheel Alignment?

 
A wheel alignment is a service that’s more complex than something like an oil change or tire rotation. In fact, we’ve found that many of our customers have similar questions about wheel alignment, and when the service might need to be performed.

In this article, we’ll quickly define what a wheel alignment is, as well as some tell-tale signs that your vehicle might need one. As always, when in doubt, feel free to call, text or email us with questions — we’re always happy to help!

That said, let’s begin …

WHAT IS A WHEEL ALIGNMENT?

Also referred to as an alignment, a wheel alignment is a process that ensures your vehicle’s wheels are calibrated optimally so your driving experience is smooth and safe.

In a nutshell, the process involves the adjustment of your wheels to specific angles, correcting anything that’s deviated from the proper specifications. This results in wheels that are correctly angled and aligned with each other AND the road.

Our team uses specific tools that are able to measure and set these angles accurately to your manufacturer’s specifications.

Three of the major things we look at are your wheel’s camber, toe and caster.

Camber
This is the angle of each tire in relationship to how they connect with the road when looked at from the FRONT of the vehicle.

When the top of a tire leans toward the vehicle, it’s called negative camber, and when the top of a tire leans outward it’s called positive camber. Our goal with a wheel alignment is to set each tire so the tread surface is as flat as possible on the road.

Toe
This term refers to how much the front of a wheel points toe-in (toward), or toe-out (away) from each other when looking at the tires from above. Either type of toe can cause excessive tire wear, and can also cause a vehicle to drift from side to side. Steering components can also experience higher-than-normal wear because of misaligned toe.

Caster
Our final term, caster, stands for the tilt of the steering axis as viewed from the side of a vehicle. Positive caster occurs when the steering axis tilts toward the driver, while negative caster occurs when the axis tilts toward the front of the vehicle. Caster has an effect on ease (or effort) with steering, vehicle stability at high speeds, and the ability to corner effectively.

SIGNS THAT YOUR CAR MAY NEED A WHEEL ALIGNMENT

OK, now we’re ready to check out some of the tell-tale signs that your car may need an alignment. If you notice one or more of the following, it’s a good idea to get your vehicle checked out …

• Vehicle “pulls” to one side
• Uneven or premature tire wear
• Increased replacement costs of things like tires, suspension & steering systems
• Steering wheel vibration or off-center steering
• Compromised Vehicle Safety
• Reduced fuel efficiency

Get In Touch …
Feel free to contact Top Tier Automotive anytime with questions about wheel alignment, or anything else. You can also schedule a service online by clicking on the “Request Appointment” button in the navigation above.