Best way to understand car wheel alignment

What is wheel alignment?

Wheel alignment is a process that is done to align the wheels back to the factory specifications. Usually we recommend get your wheels aligned every 7000 miles but you can get them aligned anytime you feel like it. Wheel alignment can go off the factory specs due to many reasons, of which some are;

1. Driving on an uneven surface – If your regular driving is more on uneven road surfaces like off-road, country side or when the road conditions are not well than you might suffer the problems caused by misaligned wheels.
2. Hitting corners and potholes – When your car hits a pothole or your strike a corner at a high speed and even if the tyre have an uneven tread that might as well cause wheel alignment.
3. Bumpy roads – If driven to long on bumpy roads that also cause misalignment. A tear in tyre can also it as well.

Terminology

There are four main types of variations that can occur in the angel of the wheels that are known as toe in, toe out, positive camber and a negative camber. All these problems may lead to uneven wear which can later lead to bigger disasters like blow-outs and punctures.

1. Toe in – Toe in means when the car tyres pull towards each other. This can lead to excessive tyre wear on the outer side of the tyre. This leaves weak spots in the outer side of the tyre that means more chances of blow outs, tears or punctures on the outer side of the tyre.
2. Toe out – Toe our means when the tyres push away from each other. This can lead to excessive tyre wear on the inner side of the tyre. This leaves weak spots on the inner side of the tyre. Now this area is more likely to get punctured, tear or even lead to a blow out.
3. Positive camber – when the tyres are tilted outwards, it is called a positive camber. This leads more wear on the outer shoulder of the tyre. Leading to weak spots and more chances of punctures, tear and blow-out in this area.
4.  Negative camber – When the tyres are tilted inwards than it is called as negative camber. This leads to weak spots in the inner shoulder of the tyres due to more wear. These weak spots are more prone to punctures, tears and blowouts in that area.

Keeping all this in mind! Some driving situations may need different alignment settings for better performance. Like when you are competing in off-road competitions or racing on tarmac you need different wheel alignment setting for better traction and performance. Although in regular driving conditions these setting may not be appropriate for better performance and economy. So you need professional help when it comes to wheel alignment. Please make sure you go to a professional garage to get your wheels aligned. It is very important.