All vehicles need a wheel alignment and balance in order for them to work safely and efficiently at all times.
A wheel alignment is a comprehensive adjustment to ensure the tyres are set to a predetermined position with the steering wheel according to a particular steering axis. Alignment angles help vehicles steer, brake and handle correctly and they will vary from one car model to another depending on the intended use (i.e. comfort, sports, off-road). If the wheels of the vehicle are not aligned properly they can cause uneven tyre wear or pull in one direction which may eventually damage your tyres and affect your safety if left unrepaired. Also, if the wheels of your vehicle sit at an angle other than 0° (centre line), when you brake or accelerate this could cause a lack of steering control and traction, which will reduce your safety. A wheel alignment of new tyres is done through a comprehensive 4-wheel inspection to determine what corners need adjusting on each wheel in order for them to sit in their desired position. These measurements are called 'alignment angles' and all vehicles have specific measurements they need in order for them to work properly in camber adjustment. These can be found in your car's handbook under 'Alignment Inspection Specifications'.
Yes, a wheel alignment is necessary for all vehicles and new tyres and you need a wheel alignment every time the tyres are replaced to prevent uneven tread and poor alignment. This way your wheel alignment will last longer and you will avoid uneven tyre wear or wheel damage in the vehicle's suspension.
A wheel alignment includes inspecting the wear on your tyres, steering axis, checking for damage or wear in your suspension system (ball joints, tie rods, steering rack), tracking (correcting side-to-side movement of wheels) and adjusting camber (tilting of the top of the tyre away from or towards the chassis). These are all necessary steps and closely related issues that need to be completed to restore safe driving conditions.
When your car is lifted into the air, technicians can access many components under it so they will check everything in order to perform a proper wheel alignment by checking the steering axis inclination and many other suspension components. Don't underestimate any signs shown by your vehicle's steering or suspension as they might be telling you something isn't right with your car ball joints.
Asymmetric tyre wear is often the result of incorrect wheel alignment and tire alignment on the outward tilt. This will happen when one side (either front or back) of your tyres has more wear than the other and has run out of proper alignment. The additional pressure that develops on one set of tyres will automatically cause them to wear out faster in order to maintain in a straight line.
If you notice uneven tyre wear or incorrect tire alignment, unexplained pull in one direction when steering or sudden deterioration in vehicle performance at high speed you should get a wheel alignment and tire alignment check as soon as possible. Double check you have the right tyres for your car.There are various benefits when it comes to getting regular wheel alignments, including the below.
Improved handling safety, ride height and stability on all road surfaces.
Longer lasting tyres with better vehicle handling.
Reduced fuel consumption, better steering response and weight distribution.
Improved cornering ability and improved the tyre life.
Improved steering feel and overall performance.
This is because your vehicle will try to compensate for out of alignment angles by applying uneven pressure on different parts of the tyre. This then leads to premature wear or flat spots of back wheels.
The two settings that you should familiarise yourself with are camber (positive or negative) and toe (in or toe out). Camber and true vertical refers to how much your wheels tilt away from the car in alignment- if one side tilts out that would be considered as positive camber, while negative camber describes a tilted wheel towards the vehicle's chassis. If your wheels are facing towards each other that is considered as toe-in, while toe-out means that they face away from each other in front of the vehicle. In order for your car to drive straight and comfortably, camber should be adjusted so it faces slightly inward and avoids wear and tear, while your side-to-side wheel angles should be set at zero degrees or even a little bit outwards (toe-in). This will provide the most comfortable driving conditions and good alignment.
The first step in a wheel alignment check is to see how much wear has been done on your tyres and determine the ride height of the vehicle. Better driving habits lower this risk. There are a number of reasons why cars end up pulling to one side or the other, or why they perform differently on different surfaces. The first reason is an internal misalignment of the components within your vehicle suspension system which can be corrected by realigning them. Another reason why you might have irregular tyre wear is that there are some external factors that are affecting your vehicle. The most common external factor is road damage from things like tread blocks in the vehicle. The constant pressure exerted on your tyres will lead to cracks which will also affect their wear pattern from the front wheels. External factors include potholes and debris lodged between wheels and tyres which could also lead to irregular tyre wear.
The typical price for a wheel alignment check is $50-$80, though it could also be slightly more at around $100. If you require any repairs or replacements to your tyres that will lead to additional costs and this should be factored into your budget. Repairs and replacements can range from anywhere between $200 and up to $500, depending on how extensive the damage is of the vehicle.