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Why Total Alignment?
Reduced tire wear
Improper alignment is a major cause of premature tire wear. Over the years, a properly aligned vehicle can add thousands of miles to tire life.
Better gas mileage
Fuel mileage inabout wheel alignment today:
increases as rolling resistance decreases. Total alignment sets all four wheels parallel which, along with proper inflation, minimizes rolling resistance.
Improved handling
Does your car pull to one side, does the steering wheel vibrate, do you constantly have to move the steering wheel to keep your car traveling straight ahead? Many handling problems can be corrected by total alignment. With all the system components aligned properly, road shock is efficiently absorbed for a smoother ride.
Safer driving
A suspension system inspection is part of our alignment procedure. This allows us to spot worn parts before they cause costly problems.
HERE'S WHAT WE DO
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For vehicles with non-adjustable rear suspensions:
Result: All four wheels are parallel and the steering wheel is centered. |
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For vehicles with adjustable rear suspensions:
Result: All four wheels are positioned straight ahead and parallel, and the steering wheel is centered. |
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This Can Happen to Any Vehicle:
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On this vehicle, the front wheels are not aligned to the rear thrust line. This can happen from normal wear and stresses, whether your vehicle has adjustable or non-adjustable rear suspension. To steer straight ahead, you'd have to steer the front wheels slightly to the right. A common result would be that the vehicle would "dog track" and possibly "pull" to the side. |
(Of course, the angles are exaggerated so you can see the condition easily. But it takes only tenths of an inch to create problems.)
Important questions about wheel alignment
Q. How important is wheel alignment?
A. Think of it this way. Research indicates that the average car is driven about 12,000 miles per year. A car with toe alignment just 0.34 (just 0.17 inches) out of specifications has dragged its tires sideways for over 68 miles by the end of year!
Q. What are the "symptoms" of a car that's out of alignment"?
A. Have your car checked if you notice:
Excessive or uneven tire wear.
Steering wheel pull to left or right.
Feeling of looseness or wandering.
Steering wheel vibration or shimmy.
Steering wheel is not centered when car is moving straight ahead.
Q. How often should I have my car aligned?
A. Follow the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation noted in your owner's manual. But, as a general rule, have your vehicle's tires checked every 10,000 miles or at least once a year.
UNDERSTANDING
WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Wheel Alignment is the mechanics of keeping all interrelated parts that affect steering in proper adjustment. Correct wheel alignment is essential for easy and efficient steering and to avoid abnormal tire wear. When damage or wear occurs, the vehicle may be unsafe. All it takes to throw a front end out of alignment is one bad pothole or one good bang against a curb.
Even without abuse, front wheel alignment will change under normal, everyday driving conditions. The change may be so gradual that it is not noticed at first. The first sign of something wrong usually shows up on the front tires, which develop peculiar wear patterns that will severely shorten the life of the tire. When these appear, the vehicle should have its alignment checked.
Front wheel alignment is determined by the interrelation of three basic steering angles:
1. Caster
2. Camber
3. Toe
CASTER
The angle between a vertical line through the tire's center and the steering axis.
CAMBER
The measure of the angle from the top of a tire either toward or away from the vehicle. Positive camber tilts away from the vehicle, negative camber tilts toward the vehicle.
TOE
The measurement between the front and rear of the tires on the same axle. Toe-in puts the tires closer at the front, while toe-out means they are closer at the rear.
