subject: Need A Wheel Alignment? What Every Driver Should Know About Car Alignment! [print this page] Some vehicle owners may be asking, what is the purpose of a wheel alignment? Is it really necessary? Simply stated, a wheel alignment consists of adjusting the angles of the wheels so that they are perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other. The purpose of these adjustments is to maximum the life of your tires and to make sure that your vehicle tracks straight and true on a straight and level road.
Wheel alignment and wheel balancing are often thought of as the same thing. However, except for the fact that both of these adjustments affect the ride and handling of your vehicle, they are really two different problems. An incorrect car alignment will cause excessive wear and tear on your tires, along with creating steering or tracking problems. If a wheel is just out of balance, you will likely feel a vibration in the steering wheel and/or the seat at highway speeds.
Wheel Alignment Basics:
* A proper wheel alignment should always start and end with a test drive.
* Before having a car alignment service, have the front end and steering linkage checked for excessive wear.
* The tires should all have even wear patterns. If one of your tires has excessive camber wear, the tire will only make partial contact with the road after the car alignment problem is corrected.
* Pulling problems are not always related to wheel alignment. Problems with tires (especially unequal air pressure), failing brakes and poor power steering can also be responsible.
A conscientious driver will be able to recognize that they have a problem, understand the technicalities involved in a wheel alignment, and then take their vehicle to a car alignment technician for an inspection and a possible repair.
Need a wheel alignment? Our qualified auto mechanics can help you keep your car running newer and long with quality vehicle service. Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Excel Auto & Tire Service for more information about a car alignment. Check our website at www.excelautoandtire.com for the location closest to you. Our 3 auto shops in the Twin Cities area are conveniently located in Eagan MN, Spring Lake Park MN, & Maplewood MN.
