Staying on top of regular maintenance keeps your car in good shape. Auto body technicians may mention that you need a wheel alignment, but what exactly is it and why is it important? Below is a guide for understanding this vital step.

What Is a Wheel Alignment?

Tires must be aligned to make contact with the ground at the right angle. Wheels should be pointing straight and the tires properly centered in the wheel wells. As you drive, potholes, debris, a collision, and even bad driving habits, such as speeding, can affect these angles, knocking them out of proper alignment. Both the front and back wheels can be impacted, but the front is more vulnerable.

A wheel alignment corrects the angle based on the manufacturer’s specifications. Passenger cars, for example, do not have the same requirement that a truck designed to carry heavy loads will, making the process best handled by a technician well versed in how to meet the regulations while using the correct tools.

There are different types of alignments. Toe in refers to the fronts of the tires angling toward each other while toe out means they are angled away.

Caster refers to the angle of the steering pivot when viewed from the side, which translates to the angle of the axis the tire rotates. Caster is measured in degrees and can be either positive or negative. Camber, which is also referred to as positive or negative, is the inward or outward tire tilt.

What Are the Reasons to Have It Done?

Wheel alignments prolong the life of the tires, ensuring that you avoid uneven tread wear and other damage. Poor alignment puts stress on the rubber, leading to unnecessary wear.

The process makes your car safer on the road since it keeps wheels pointing at the right angle and in proper contact with the ground. You have better control to avoid accidents and other mishaps as you drive. A car out of alignment tends to pull in either direction, making steering more difficult. You may also experience vibrations as you try to operate the steering wheel.

Since your car operates more efficiently, you will get optimal gas mileage. When the vehicle needs an alignment, there is additional friction between the road and the wheels, making the engine work harder and leading to more fuel usage. An annual wheel alignment is recommended.

For wheel alignments as well as collision repairs and more, call Jerry Ernst Auto Body. Serving Easter Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky since 1972, the auto body shop offers personalized service and competitive pricing for every customer in addition to free written estimates and a lifetime warranty on work performed by their certified expert technicians. They are also members of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, making them a reliable choice when it comes to dent repair, metalwork, and other offerings. Call (513) 871-7200 for an appointment. Learn more about them in their video here.