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What is Wheel Alignment, and Why Does My Car Need It?
Friendly Auto Centers • December 20, 2020
Your vehicle comprises several hundred components, but none of them may be more critical than its wheels. However, with so many complicated and moving parts, knowing when to schedule a wheel alignment service appointment can be difficult with our busy lives.
In this post, we will take a look at why scheduling routine alignment services is critical to the life of your vehicle, as well as your safety.
If you think the wheels on your car have become misaligned and you need to schedule a wheel alignment appointment, give us a call or visit us today at Friendly Auto Centers in Mesa, Arizona.
Why is Wheel Alignment Important?
Alignment refers to changing the suspension angles regarding the contact a tire makes with the ground to ensure that all four tires operate in cohesion at precisely the same speed and direction. Improper alignment leads to poor vehicle performance and reduces vehicle stability and handling. Additionally, misalignment can also cause the vehicle to have difficulty driving straight and drastically shorter tire life.
If the wheels on your car are not aligned correctly, you potentially risk wearing out your vehicle’s tires prematurely and causing more hazardous driving hazards. Having accurately balanced wheels is one of the best things you can do to help protect your tires and stop them from wearing out faster than they were intended to.
What Happens During a Wheel Alignment?
During a routine alignment service, technicians will inspect three main components within your vehicle:
Camber
Camber refers to the tire’s inward or outward tilt, whereas a negative camber describes the inward tilting of the tire, and positive camber describes the tire’s outward tilting. Both of these instances can have a significant effect on tire-to-road contact, in addition to how the vehicle maneuvers while being driven.
Toe
Toe refers to the relation between the front and rear end of the tire, whereas tires bent inward are referred to as the toe-in orientation, and outward tilt referred to as the toe-out alignment. Either example of this instance will require an inspection.
Caster
Caster refers to the steering axis position, the component that allows the vehicle to steer, balance, and maneuver around corners. In the case of a positive caster, the steering wheel is tilted toward the driver, while the negative caster denotes the steering axis leaning toward the front of the vehicle.
Schedule Your Wheel Alignment with Us Today
Misaligned wheels can occur for various reasons, but it’s critical that you don’t let the problem sit for too long. Come see us at Friendly Auto Centers today if you think your wheel alignment may need to be inspected by a certified professional. We’re conveniently located in Mesa, Arizona, for all of your auto repair needs.
The post What is Wheel Alignment, and Why Does My Car Need It? appeared first on Friendly Auto Centers.
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