Wheel Alignment Information
If you drive, you know that to get the best use out of your vehicle, you need do regular maintenance. This maintenance can end up saving money by prolonging the life of your vehicle and its parts. Include a wheel alignment as part of the maintenance program for your vehicle.
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Purpose
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As you drive your vehicle, you may hit bumps or holes in the road that cause a change in the way it handles. A wheel alignment readjusts and returns your wheels to their proper angle. It fine-tunes the suspension of the car influencing the way it operates. If you drive off-road, you may have your mechanic adjust your vehicles settings past the normal settings to compensate for more aggressive driving.
Elements
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A wheel alignment involves three basic elements. The camber is the angle at which your tires lean from side to side. If they lean in or out too much, the tires wear to one side of the tire's tread and it may cause the car to pull to one side. The caster, the angle of the steering pivot attached to your vehicles suspension system, will also pull the car to one side if not set properly. The toe measures the distance at which the tires pivot from side to side. Toe-in means the fronts of the tires are closer to each other, while toe out indicates the opposite. Either extreme causes uneven tire wear.
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Types
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If you ask for a two-wheel alignment, a mechanic will check the angles at the back of the vehicle and make the adjustment to the front wheels. For a four-wheel alignment, he adjusts the rear wheels to specification, then make necessary adjustment to the front end. Some older vehicles have a solid rear axle, and therefore only need a two-wheel alignment. Most mechanics will recommend you have all four wheels aligned so that you have optimum safety when operating your vehicle.
Benefits
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A wheel alignment insures that your vehicle handles properly. You won't have to constantly adjust your steering wheel when driving straight ahead because your steering wheel vibrates or constantly pulls to one side. It also decreases premature tire wear, sometime adding thousands of miles of tire life. Having a regular alignment allows your vehicle to roll with less resistance, increasing gas mileage.
Considerations
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Don't wait until you need to tires to have a wheel alignment; you should have the alignments checked on your vehicle at least once a year. If you drive on rough roads or put a lot of mileage on your vehicle, have the alignment checked more often. In 2010, a four-wheel alignment costs between $50 and $95. If you notice your tires wearing unevenly, it may be that your tires are over-inflated or they need to be rotated.
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References
- Photo Credit tire image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
