At first glance, all four wheels on your car look as they are perfectly straight and vertical. As this arrangement seems logical, it might surprise you to learn that each car manufacturer specifies some pre-defined angles to the wheels of their cars. Each car will have an optimum set of wheel angles decided by the car manufacturer. These angles may undergo considerable variations over time, resulting in excessive tire wear. All cars and trucks should undergo a wheel alignment after having driving for a certain distance. A routine wheel alignment operation is imperative for our car’s good performance, since these angles influence straight-line stability, steering wheel return-ability and cornering capability. In this article, we will explain what the wheel alignment is and how to spot a bad alignment.
What are the signs of a bad wheel alignment?
Excessive tire wear is the most common indicator of a wheel misalignment. Usually, the cause for this will be an incorrect camber or toe settings. Camber, or a vertical tilt of the wheel, can be either toward inside or outside. With wheel tilted too far out, an outside tire shoulder will wear more quickly. On the other hand, the inside tire shoulder will wear quickly when the wheel is tilted too far in. An incorrect toe angle, which is a direction the wheels are pointed, can also result in shoulder wear. If the wheels are set too far inboard, the outside of the tread will wear first. And the inside tire wear will occur if the wheels are set too far out.
Another wheel misalignment tell tale sign is a steering wheel pull. This problem can be caused by incorrect side-to-side camber or caster settings. In case both front wheels are both tilted to one side, the car will always want to steer to that side. Another way that a steering wheel pull can appear is with incorrect castor settings. Castor is a steering axis front to rear till, and it should be the same on both sides of the car. Different side-to-side castor values will lead to a steering wheel pull.
A wheel misalignment can also cause a crooked steering wheel. With the car properly aligned, the steering wheel should be perfectly horizontal while driving straight. However, with incorrect front or rear toe settings, you will have to hold your steering wheel at an angle to drive straight. In case this happened suddenly, there is a good chance that some suspension part, such as bushing or tie rod, is damaged. In that case, get an alignment check as soon as possible, as waiting will only make the situation worse.
Car manufacturers design the car steering system so it would return the steering wheel to the center position after going through a bend. This steering wheel return-ability is created by the caster angle. If your steering wheel does not return, or if it feels sluggish or lose, it is likely that the castor angle is incorrect.
How long is a wheel alignment supposed to last?
If you are experiencing some of the symptoms described above, your car most probably needs a wheel alignment. Still, you may ask yourself on how many miles should you get an alignment. Is this something that should be done periodically, even if everything seems to be fine? Or if you need a wheel alignment with new tires? If you go into a tire shop and this question, the most probable answer would be every time you get your tires changed. However, this is not entirely true. Have in mind that shops make a lot of money on alignments, so some of them might encourage frequent alignments whether or not needed.
The key aim of a wheel alignment is to ensure that wheels on your car are not hard against each other and are rotating in the same way. Most times a car needs an alignment, it is the toe angle that needs resetting. Usually, the car will stay aligned until jolted strongly, such as by hitting a pothole, striking a curb or launching over a speed bump. Realistically, you should be able to drive for at least a few years before needing a wheel alignment.
Is it bad to drive when you need an alignment?
Driving a car that is out of alignment is not a good idea. On one side, it is bad for you budget, as you will wear out the tires more quickly. In addition, it could have a negative impact on your gas mileage as a result of increased rolling resistance.
However, the biggest concern in this situation is safety. Without a proper wheel alignment, your car is less stable and has poor handling capabilities. This affects both cornering and braking performance, making your car unpredictable when pushed to the limit. You don't want your car to pull sharply to the left while you are doing a full-power emergency braking.
A good practice is to inspect your tires from time to time. An uneven wear will show that you need a wheel alignment. Also, always pay attention for any pulling or drifting to the side, especially if you take your hands off the steering wheel for a second. If in any doubt, request an alignment check at your mechanic. Most shops have equipment that can check it in a few minutes, even for free in most cases. Finally, if your mechanic recommends an alignment, ask to see a copy of the alignment printout. This way you avoid unnecessary services and expense.
How much does it cost to get an alignment?
The cost of a wheel alignment depends on several factors. First, a suspension your car has will determine if you need a two-or four-wheel alignment. Trucks and some cars that have a live rear axle need only a two-wheel alignment. On the other hand, cars with independent suspension all around need a four-wheel alignment, which is more expensive.
Furthermore, any worn-out or damaged suspension components must be replaced before doing the wheel alignment. Naturally, this will result in higher overall price. Lastly, the prices vary from garage to a garage, as they all offer different rates and offerings. As a rule of thumb, you can expect anything from $50 for two-wheel alignment to $200 for a full four-wheel alignment.