By Mark Elias, April 28, 2023, 12:00 PM

Brief knowledge about wheel alignment

• If tires are not properly aligned, they will wear out excessively.
• You should have your wheel alignment checked every six months.
• Drifting or shaking while driving may be a sign of inaccurate wheel alignment.

Wheel alignment, also known as car alignment or front wheel alignment, is an often overlooked but crucial adjustment that ensures your vehicle stays in a straight line while driving. Poor alignment can lead to problems such as premature tire wear, suspension failure, unsafe driving, excessive steering wheel play, and driver fatigue.

The normal driving capability of a car, truck, or SUV depends on a balance of various factors, including power, acceleration, steering, and braking. This requires correct four-wheel alignment parameters and well-maintained suspension components. Tires, steering mechanisms, shock absorbers, and springs must work together to ensure the vehicle’s continued reliable operation.

Please continue reading our guide to learn about wheel alignment and when you need to take your vehicle to a repair shop for this service.

Detailed Explanation of Wheel Alignment Principles

Wheel alignment, also known as tire alignment, refers to the angles at which the tires are positioned on a vehicle to maximize the contact area between the tires and the road surface. Tire alignment affects the suspension system , so any adjustments help ensure a smooth ride and minimize tire wear. When wheel alignment is inaccurate, the tires are not angled correctly and point in different directions. This can lead to uneven and accelerated tire wear, and can also cause the vehicle to veer to the left or right.

This problem is easy to solve; car dealership service departments, tire retailers, or car service centers can all help you with it.

Please remember that a precise wheel alignment is not a lifetime achievement. Even a new car can accidentally hit a curb or pothole. These impacts can cause the vehicle to lose its alignment momentarily. In most cases, as parts wear down, the alignment gradually deteriorates over time, becoming almost imperceptible.

How much does a four-wheel alignment cost?

A single tire alignment service typically costs between $65 and $100, so it’s best to include it in your regular car maintenance plan. To save money, some tire and auto service centers offer lifetime alignment packages for around $200, which include alignments every 6,000 miles or as needed, until you own the vehicle.

What does four-wheel alignment include?     

In the past, as with body-on-frame vehicles and those having non-independent rear suspensions, front-end alignment was usually all you needed to have you on the straight and narrow again. With today’s unibody designs and multilink independent rear suspensions, four-wheel alignment is recommended to have all tires working together and tracking in the same direction.

Depending on the adjustments available on your vehicle, alignment is a procedure that involves adjusting the camber, the outward or inward tilt of the tires when viewed head-on; caster, a front or rear tilt when viewed from the side; and toe, which way your tires are pointed when viewed from above. Toe-in means they’re pointed inward, and toe-out means they’re turning away from each other.

Tire alignment services require specialized equipment and trained technicians. It requires the proper tools to diagnose, repair, replace, and properly align your vehicle. It’s not an easy fix like changing your motor oil, and it should be done by a dealership or repair shop.

While they check alignment, consult with them on wheel balancing. Vibrations can crop up from an out-of-balance tire, which in turn causes excessive tire wear. With so many components responsible for specific causes and subsequent effects, it’s a good idea to have all these exams and services performed at the same time.

Signs Your Car Needs a Wheel Alignment

Here’s how to tell if your car needs an alignment.

• Drifting: Your car drifts left or right, especially when you apply the brakes.
• Hard to steer: An excessive amount of steering input is required to keep you in the lane.
• Shaking: The car’s steering wheel shakes.

Before you take the car in, check if your tires are deflated. Having one tire measure substantially more or less than what the owner’s manual calls for could cause the same effect of drifting left or right or vibration in the steering.

Imperfections in the road surfaces could be your vehicle’s worst enemy in keeping proper alignment. If you regularly drive on poorly maintained roads or one riddled with potholes or accidentally hit a curb or a parking bumper, you may knock your vehicle out of alignment.

What Happens If Your Tires Aren’t Aligned

A vehicle that is out of alignment can result in excessive tire wear. You’ll start to notice the steering takes a different direction than intended. Also, a constant scuff works against normal tread wear. You’ll notice the tire tread disappearing prematurely and unevenly across the tire’s surface.

This also can cause a loss of traction, especially in wet conditions. Uneven tire wear, if ignored, can also contribute to premature tire failure or a blowout.

How Often Do I Need an Alignment?

When you need a four-wheel alignment depends on your vehicle model and driving habits. We recommend having a four-wheel alignment checked every time you rotate your tires, and approximately every six months or 6,000 miles (whichever comes first). Please consult your vehicle’s manual for tire rotation intervals. In any case, do not allow your vehicle to remain unaligned for more than 10,000 miles.

If your vehicle stays in a straight line while driving on the highway, its four-wheel alignment is likely correct. If it drifts to the left or right, that clearly indicates it needs to be checked.

There’s one more time you should absolutely get your tires aligned: when you’re changing them. Balancing and aligning the tires before mounting them on your vehicle ensures they wear evenly from the start. If your vehicle isn’t properly aligned, even with new tires, you’ll pay a higher price in the long run because they’ll wear out at the same rate as the old ones.