Wheel Alignment
Wheel alignment, also referred to as tire alignment is an excellent way to improve the performance of your tires and ensure that they last longer. It is also a great way to improve the handling of your vehicle and prevent your car from vibrating strangely or pulling in one direction when driving.
What is a Wheel Alignment?
It is an adjustment to your vehicle’s suspension, i.e. the system that connects your car to the wheels. Alignment isn’t an adjustment of the wheels or tires themselves. Proper alignment is done through the adjustment of tore angles, which affects how they interact with the road’s surface.
How Can I Tell If I Need a Wheel Alignment?
You can use several indicators to determine whether your car needs a wheel alignment. If you notice any of the following in your vehicle, you should come to Absolute Car care to have a licensed service technician check your alignment:
- Steering Wheel Vibration
- Steering Wheel is Off-Center When You Are Driving Straight
- Vehicle Pulls to the Left or to the Right
- Uneven Tread Wear
What Are the Different Types of Wheel Alignment?
When you bring your vehicle to Absolute Car Care for our technicians to check your alignment, here are the 3 things we will check using our HawkEye Elite Alignment Machine:
1. Camber
Camber refers to the outward or inward angle of the tire when you view it from the front of the vehicle. Too much outward or inward tile, also referred to as positive and negative camber, respectively, is indicative of improper alignment that requires adjusting. It can be caused by worn ball joints, bearings, and other parts of the suspension system.
2. Caster
The caster angle is what helps balance steering, cornering, and stability. It is the steering axis’s angle when you view it from the side of the vehicle. In case there’s a positive caster, the steering axis tilts towards the driver. If you have a negative caster, the steering axis tilts towards the front of the vehicle.
3. Toe
Toe alignment refers to the extent to which the tires turn either outward or inward when you view them from above. If the tires on your vehicle are angled the same way, it is referred to as toe-in alignment. Similarly, if the tires on your vehicle are angled outward, this is referred to as toe-out alignment. Both toe-in and toe-out require adjustment.
If you are in the Framingham or MetroWest area and suspect that your wheels are out of alignment, come to Absolute car Care for a proper diagnosis to be made. We are a family-owned business known for its friendly service and have been in business since 1994. Call us if you have any questions at 508 820-9323 or use our contact form if you would like to make an appointment for an inspection.
Please note that our office will reach out to you to confirm your appointment, appointments are not guaranteed unless the office confirms.
Related Articles:
Winter Car Care: A Mechanic’s Guide to Preparing Your Vehicle, with a Focus on Snow Tires
As the winter season approaches, it’s crucial to ensure your vehicle is ready to handle the challenges that come with cold weather, snow, and icy roads. From a mechanic’s perspective, one of the most critical aspects of winter car care is the use of snow tires. In this blog post, we’ll discuss why snow tires […]
full article
Tips On How To Keep a High Mileage Car Running Smoothly
Today’s cars are indeed built to last. Most vehicles produced in the modern era can serve users for at least 150,000 miles. A high-mileage vehicle is considered to be one that has accumulated at least 75,000 miles. In addition to mileage, age can also be used to determine whether a vehicle is high-mileage or not. […]
full article
Tire Rotation vs. Wheel Alignment: What’s the Difference?
Tire safety is an important part of driving safely. If you feel like your vehicle is jiggling whenever you are driving, especially after hitting a massive pothole, you might need to schedule a tire service just to make sure that everything is okay. Whenever you go in for a tire service, our mechanics will usually […]
full article
