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8 Common Questions about Wheel Alignment

posted on 8/12/2020 9:53:16 AM

Have you ever experienced back pain? We’ve all been there. If you’ve paid a visit to a chiropractor, they help adjust your spine back to its optimal position. So, what does this have to do with cars? Just like your body, vehicles can fall out of alignment. Maintaining proper wheel alignment is necessary to promote top notch handling and prolong the life of your tires.

What is Wheel Alignment?

Wheel alignment is the act of adjusting the angles of your car’s wheels to match the manufacturer’s specifications. This may sound complicated, but it’s actually pretty simple. Psst - don't forget to listen to the All About The Car podcast about Wheel Alignment!

Wheel alignment has been around for a long time. In the past, chalk, nails, tape measures and strings were used to measure and mark tires for adjustment. Luckily, advancements in machinery evolved quickly, making this process much more precise over the years. The manual procedure soon incorporated alignment pits, then transitioned to the Hunter Wheel Alignment Company’s 4 Wheel Alignment System, the first of its kind in 1978. At this point in time, many vehicles were transitioning to front wheel drive; this innovation allowed for the individual adjustment of all four wheels. Now, equipment has become even more advanced and can detect alignment down to the 100th of an inch! To learn more about the history of wheel alignment, Click Here.

What are the Benefits of Wheel Alignment?

Maintaining a well-aligned vehicle is a great way to avoid unnecessary, costly repairs. Think of alignment checks as an investment that can save you time, money and headaches down the road. Aligned tires will also wear more evenly and last longer, resulting in fewer tire purchases for you. Safety and vehicle handling will also be improved.

How do I Know if my Tires are Misaligned?

Tire wear

This is the biggest indicator that your wheels are in need of alignment. Uneven tread, edgewear and other abnormal characteristics can signal your tires are not optimally positioned on the vehicle.

Vehicle pulls to the left or right

If your car tends to veer to the left or right while driving, this may be indicative of poor alignment. Be mindful of the street you’re on, however - road crown, or the curvature of road surface, can also cause your vehicle to pull to one side.

Dog Tracking

While rarely seen in today’s vehicles, dog tracking refers to extreme wheel misalignment, essentially causing vehicles to drive down the road crooked. In some cases, while driving through snow or dirt, four different tire tracks would be left behind! To read more about indicators of misalignment, Click Here.

How Often Should I Check the Wheel Alignment?

Even when watching for the above indicators, it can be difficult to tell when your wheels are in need of alignment. Many things can contribute, such as potholes, curbs, and Wisconsin winters. The aging of the car and its components can also change the angles of wheel alignment. For these reasons, it is best to treat wheel alignment as a maintenance item and have it checked annually by a reputable auto shop.

It is also a good idea to check your car’s wheel alignment whenever you’re installing tires. By doing this, you’ll help protect and prolong the life of your new tires, ultimately saving you money. Plus, many shops will automatically check wheel alignment for you at no charge during the installation process!

Does wheel Alignment impact Safety?

While it is ideal to have your tires aligned, wheel alignment usually does not have a drastic impact on the safety of your vehicle. In extreme cases, however, poor alignment can contribute to veering and less responsive handling – two things that can make driving more hazardous.

Does poor Wheel Alignment cause Vibrations?

Oftentimes, wheel alignment is thought to be the culprit of unusual shakes or vibrations in a vehicle. Truthfully, though, this is almost never the case. Proper wheel alignment will solve only about 1% of vibration issues. More feasibly, unwanted vibration in a vehicle will be linked to wheel assembly or driveline problems.

What are Wheel Alignment Angles?

There are many different angels that can be adjusted on your wheels, but the three primary angles are camber, caster, and toe. Camber refers to the inward or outward tilt of the tire. Caster, then, deals with the tilt of the steering axis. Poor caster can heavily impact vehicle handling. An example of misaligned caster can be seen in an annoying shopping cart wheel that flutters back and forth while in motion.

Toe is perhaps the easiest to remember. Look down at your feet and pretend they are tires. Placing your feet straight forward symbolizes aligned wheels. But, if you angle your toes closer together (pigeon toed), that position is referred to as toe-in. Reversely, toe-out is demonstrated when you angle your toes outward so they are farther away from each other. Toe angle is the most important of the three primary angles regarding tire wear. If you’d like to learn more about alignment angles, Click Here.

Alignment Check vs Alignment Appointment: What can I Expect?

It is important to note that an alignment check is not the same as a wheel alignment appointment. During an alignment check, your vehicle will be hooked up to equipment that senses the alignment (or lack thereof) of the wheels. The results will be compared to the manufacturer’s specifications. This process is used to determine whether or not wheel alignment service is needed.

If the alignment check shows that your vehicle is in need of proper alignment, the shop will let you know and can adjust the wheel angles for you. This service typically takes about an hour. And, because modern equipment is extremely precise, it is best to leave wheel alignment to the professionals.

Wisconsin Road Trips: Osceola, WI

Looking for a scenic day trip? Osceola, Wisconsin might just be the perfect destination. Located in western Wisconsin near the Twin Cities, Osceola boasts the beautiful Cascade Waterfalls in the heart of town. You’ll find a charming mixture of old and new here, from the Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway to the modern bar and restaurant options. Listen to the new Wheel Alignment podcast from All About The Car to learn more, and Click Here to explore the 10 best things to do in Osceola!

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