The Importance of Wheel Alignment
28 February 2015
Many motorists overlook the importance of their wheel alignment, focusing more on the condition of their tyres. But did you know how much of an effect poor wheel alignment can have on your tyres?
The purpose of wheel alignment is to ensure your car drives in a true straight line. If wheel alignment is off, tyre life is shortened due to irregular wear. Car and mileage performance also decreases as a result.
Correcting wheel alignment consists of checking the angle of vehicle wheels in three ways:
Caster
Caster is the alignment of the steering axis in a vertical line down to the ground, when viewed from the side. Caster is positive if the axis is angled backward, and negative if forward.
Camber
Camber is the angle created by steering axis in a vertical line to the ground, when viewed from the front or rear. If the top of the tyre is further out than the bottom, it is called positive camber. If the bottom of the tyre is further out than the top, it is called negative camber. Advancements in suspension and vehicle technology means most vehicles today have negative camber. This increases the outer tyre’s contact area and provides stable cornering and performance.
Toe
The Toe is the angle created by tyre direction. If the tyre’s front is inward, it’s called Toe-in. If outward, it is called Toe-out. Too much toe-out usually causes fast wear on tyre’s inner surface of tread. And too much toe-in causes fast wear on outer surface of tread in reverse.
When to Check Wheel Alignment
It is recommended that you have your wheel alignment checked every year. You should also have it inspected after any of the below circumstances.
- After a car accident
- After tyre replacement
- When there is uneven wear on the tyre
- When the steering wheel is unstable or vibrating
- When riding is uncomfortable or fuel efficiency gets worse
Visit our helpful Wheel Alignment page for more information on the above. If you have any concerns regarding your wheel alignment or tyres, or you believe your car is suffering from any of the symptoms above, contact your local Setyres branch for help from our tyre specialists.