December 15, 2023 | Miles Brucker

Why Tire Alignment Matters


Tire Alignment: What You Need to Know

Tire Alignment Split Gallery

The unsung hero of vehicle maintenance—tire alignment. Although it is super important, it often slips through the cracks.

Drivers often remember things like oil changes, brake work, and even rotating their tires, but wheel alignment often gets forgotten.

This oversight can be extremely dangerous. Misaligned tires not only wear out sooner, leading to costly replacement, but they also compromise your vehicle’s handling.

Here’s what you need to know about this important service.

What is Tire Alignment?

Tire alignment—also known as wheel alignment—involves adjusting the angles of the tires so they meet manufacturers specifications.

A tire alignment makes sure that your tires are pointed straight, parallel to each other, and at the right angle.

It’s more about the suspension than the tires themselves.

Advertisement

How to Know When You Need It

KarmaPexels

There are several signs that will tell you your vehicle needs an alignment:

  • Uneven tire wear
  • Vehicle pulls to one side
  • Steering wheel vibration
  • Misaligned steering wheel

What is Done During an Alignment

Tire Alignment in a shopgolubovy, Adobe Stock

During a wheel alignment, a mechanic will either adjust three main alignment angles—camber, caster, and toe. In the case of a four-wheel alignment, all four wheels are aligned to the center of the vehicle.

Camber: The inward or outward tilt of the tire when viewed from the front.

Caster: The angle of your wheel’s pivot.

Toe: The extent to which your tires turn inward or outward when viewed from above.

Why It’s Important

TiresShutterstock

Tire alignment is important for many reasons:

Safety: Misaligned tires can cause a vehicle to pull to one side which leads to difficulty with steering and handling.

Tire life: Misaligned tires can lead to uneven tire wear.

Fuel efficiency: Misaligned tires can make the vehicle work harder, which means it burns more fuel.

Advertisement

Consequences of Neglecting Tire Alignment

Angry man about flat tireantoniodiaz, Shutterstock

Skipping a tire alignment can have the following consequences:

  • Rapid tire wear
  • Higher fuel costs
  • Possible damage to the vehicle

Tire alignment might seem like an unimportant part of vehicle maintenance, but the implications are huge.

It’s important to check your tires regularly and pay attention to how your vehicle performs on the road. Regular service can ensure a safer, smoother, and more cost-friendly drive.


READ MORE

Dale Internal

The Day Dale Earnhardt Died

Dale Earnhardt, or Dale Sr., was a professional stock car racer from North Carolina. In his 25+ year career, he came to be known as one of the greatest NASCAR racers in the history of the sport. But his sudden death surprised everyone—and his autopsy in particular became hugely controversial.
July 13, 2024 Tom Miller

The History and Evolution Of The American RV

RVs or Recreational Vehicles have become an integral part of the American culture.
August 20, 2024 Marlon Wright

The Cars With The Longest Production Runs Of All-Time

These cars have enjoyed long and storied production runs, but this everyday driver eclipsed the lot with astonishing longevity.
September 18, 2024 Jack Hawkins

People With The Largest Car Collections In The World

Everyone has their vice: the thing they spend all their money on. For these people, it's cars. All kinds of cars. Here are the people with the largest car collections in the world.
September 25, 2024 Jack Hawkins
Alfa Romeo 8C

Iconic Cars Of The Art Deco Era (With Photos)

Get ready to cruise through time with these Art Deco beauties. These cars didn't just drive; they defined style.
October 31, 2024 Peter Kinney

40 Coolest Cars Of The 2000s

The year 2000 was the start of a new millennium—and some of the coolest cars around.
September 19, 2024 Jack Hawkins