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Alignment
Proper wheel alignment gives you better handling and control. It will also save you money by decreasing fuel consumption and preventing unnecessary wear on your tires, steering system and suspension.
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What is Alignment?
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Alignment refers to the angle of your wheels relative to the main driving path of your vehicle. Wheel alignments take many factors into consideration. For most vehicles, the three primary elements are:
If even one of these elements is out of line, your tires will drag instead of rolling freely. This causes uneven tire wear and increases fuel consumption because your vehicle has to work harder to overcome the drag from your tires.
Camber
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 This is the measurement of the angle formed by the vertical centreline of your tire and a true horizontal plane. Camber affects tire wear and your forward manoeuvrability.
Camber is described in terms of positive and negative. When the top of the tire tilts outward from the vehicle body, as in the illustration, that is positive camber. When the top of the tire tilts inward, toward the body, that is negative camber.
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Toe
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 This is the primary adjustment made on all makes of vehicles, and is the one which, when out of line, has the most detrimental effect on tire wear and steering.
"Toe" measures the distance between the front edges and between the back edges of tires on the same axle. It is described as inner or outer. When the distance between the front edges of the wheels is smaller, (as shown in the illustration), it is referred to as inner toe. When the distance between the rear edges is smaller, it is outer toe.
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Castor
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 Caster measures the angle formed by a vertical line drawn through the centre of your tire (when viewed from the side) and the steering axis. Caster affects your ability to recover from turns. If your castor is out of alignment, it will have a detrimental effect on your directional control, especially at high speeds.
Caster is described as positive or negative. When the steering axis angles toward the front of your vehicle, it is negative castor. When it angles toward the rear of your vehicle, as in the illustration, it is positive castor.
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How is alignment adjusted?
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At Coast Tire & Auto Service, we utilize a sophisticated laser-imaging system to measure your current alignment against the recommendations of your vehicle's manufacturer.
An imaging sensor is attached to each wheel. This takes precise measurements and creates a digital image for our mechanics to view. If any elements are outside of your vehicle's recommended range, our system will tell our mechanics precisely what needs to be done. This system allows your alignment to be completed with the minimum possible labour time, and allows maximum accuracy in the type and extent of adjustments made.
We also provide you with a text printout of your alignment analysis, allowing you to see exactly which elements of your alignment were adjusted. Click here to view a sample printout of a front-end alignment.
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How often should alignment be checked?
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Hitting potholes, curbs or other obstacles on the roadway can adversely affect your wheel alignment. It's a good idea to have your alignment checked once a year, or every 25,000 km.
Signs of misalignment include:
- excessive wear on the inside or outside edges of your tires
- the steering wheel pulling to one side while driving on a level surface
Save money. Stay safe on the road. Visit your local Coast Tire & Auto Service and have your alignment checked today.
Coast Tire & Auto Service
Real People. Real Service.
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