Computerized Wheel Alignment - What is it?

Essentially, alignment refers to the way your car's wheels are positioned. Ideally, your wheels should be parallel and facing forward.

Wheels must be lined up correctly to keep suitable control of your car. Wheels that are out of position could cause driving to become difficult in addition to cause uneven ware on the tires. When your wheels are properly lined up, your car will offer a smoother ride.

When your wheels are properly aligned, you'll get better gas mileage, your tires will last longer, steering will be easier, your ride will be smoother, and, most importantly, the drive will be safer.

How could it go wrong?

Wheel Alignment is done at the time brand-new tires are set up, and can easily be checked with your regular tire rotation, however, Arizona's roads get rough causing some wheels to shift out of alignment. But more commonly, your vehicle suspension settles and changes over time. A proper alignment should get the vehicle back within manufacturer's specifications.

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Alignment problems normally result in one or more of the following angles being outside acceptable settings. All of them have negative effects from pulling the vehicle to rapid tread wear.

Camber - The amount of inward or outward tilt measured at the top of your wheels.

Toe - The amount of difference measured at the leading (toe) ends of the front of your tires when compared with the same measurement at the trailing edge (heel) of the front tires. This measurement is very important in controlling edge wear.

Caster - Managing this angle will produce a drift or pull in the vehicle to the left or right. Technically it is the backward or forward tilt at the top of the wheel's spindle support arm. Bad Caster will also cause either loose or difficult steering.

If any of these problems develop, they will begin to take their toll on your car's tires and performance, as well as steering manageability.

If you're wondering whether your car needs an alignment, first look at your tires. Uneven tire wear -- often, more wear on the outside of some tires -- is a prime indicator that your car is likely out of alignment.

Your wheels may have to be lined up if:

• You experience vibration when turning
• The steering wheel pulls to the left or right
• The steering wheel is not straight when driving on a straight roadway
• Your tire tread is wearing unevenly

An alignment check features:

• Assessment of the steering and suspension components
• Examination of the tires for size, inflation and wear
• Comparison of your tire alignment to automobile manufacturer guidelines

If none of these indicators occurs but it's been a while since your last alignment, check your owner's manual to see how often the manufacturer recommends having this service.

An out-of-alignment car is a common result of everyday driving. But the term alignment doesn't really refer to your car's wheels but rather to the suspension. As part of normal driving, parts of your car's suspension may become worn, and springs can be stretched out.

Even a small accident or bumping a curb can disrupt your suspension, knocking some of the highly calibrated components off-kilter, making your wheels sit at improper angles. An alignment restores these angles to their correct measurements, making sure that your wheels sit straight.

The most visible benefit of an alignment is less tire wear. And when tires do wear down, they'll do so evenly on a properly aligned suspension. Tires can be quite expensive -- easily $100 or more per tire -- whereas an alignment often costs $50 to $100, making it a cost-effective procedure that should be part of regular car maintenance [source: Consumer Reports].

An alignment will ensure that your car drives straight and handles properly, making your ride safer. You'll also get better gas mileage because your tires will be properly aligned with the road, decreasing resistance.

A car alignment is actually an elaborate process that brings the car's suspension into its proper configuration, positioning and adjusting components so that wheels are aligned with one another and the road surface. The alignment should be performed by an experienced mechanic, who uses an alignment machine.

Newer alignment machines feature clamplike devices that are attached to the wheels of the car (which is raised up in the air) and that link to a computer that helps make precise measurements. The mechanic will also take this opportunity to make sure that no suspension components are excessively worn or broken. An alignment essentially requires squaring a car's wheels and axles with each other so that they're moving in the same direction. The mechanic adjusts the various suspension angles -- known as toe, thrust, camber and caster -- that influence tire movement and position. The technician will also ensure that the steering wheel is centered.

Each car's manufacturer designates standard angles for the alignment, specified in degrees. If you're a driver of a high-performance car or sports car, your mechanic may be able to align your suspension to improve handling and tire performance, but such an alignment still may lead to uneven tire wear. The type of alignment you receive will depend on your car's suspension. A four-wheel alignment is reserved for all-wheel drive vehicles or front-wheel drive vehicles with independent or adjustable rear suspensions. In this case, both axles have to be properly aligned so that all four wheels align in a rectangle, parallel to one another and perpendicular to the ground.

If you don't have a four-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicle, your car will likely only require a front-end alignment, in which only the front-axle components are adjusted, or a thrust-angle alignment. Thrust angle refers to the angle that a car's rear wheels point relative to the car's center. In such an alignment, the rear wheels and axle are realigned so as to be parallel with the front axle and perpendicular to the center line of the car.

After the alignment is complete, it's appropriate to ask for a printout -- which many mechanics now provide -- that shows before and after images of the suspension alignment.

If you transport equipment or cargo in your vehicle, it may make sense to put a typical load in your car when it's being realigned, but otherwise, your vehicle should be relatively empty.

What makes Jack Furrier's different?

Wheel Alignment as well as tire balancing and rotation could expand the life of your tires, and boost the total safety of your vehicle. An effectively aligned automobile may enhance performance as well as increase fuel economy.First, we have invested in the very best equipment available. 3-D infrared imaging is the most reliable way to guarantee consistent results.

Providing tires to Arizonan's is only half of what we do; complete tire service including alignment is another Jack Furrier's specialty, and alignment is always a good idea when buying new tires. Many dealers do not invest in this equipment, choosing to sell tires, but not service them completely. You won't need to make a second trip or take a chance.

Sources

• http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/diagnosing-car-problems/body/car-realigned2.htm
• Consumer Reports. "Tales of repair woes." September 2009. https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/index.htm
• Hunter Engineering Company. "What Everyone Should Know About Wheel Alignment." 2009.http://www.hunter.com/pub/undercar/2470T/index.htm
• Ofria, Charles. "A Short Course on Wheel Alignment." Family Car. 2007. http://www.familycar.com/alignment.htm
• Petersen, Gene. "Tires Q&A: Problem solving irregular wear." Consumer Reports. September 2009. http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2009/09/tire...
• Tire Rack. "Tire Tech Information - Alignment." http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.js...

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