Wheel Alignment Fundamentals | What do the angles mean?

The what, the why, and the how.

What is Wheel Alignment?

Wheel alignment, sometimes called tracking, is the process of adjusting the angles of your vehicle's wheels to match the manufacturer's specifications. This ensures that the wheels are making proper contact with the road surface, leading to several benefits:

Improved tyre life: Properly aligned wheels wear evenly, preventing premature and uneven wear that can shorten their lifespan.

Better fuel economy: When your wheels are aligned, your car rolls more efficiently, reducing fuel consumption.

Enhanced handling and stability: Correctly aligned wheels improve steering response and overall vehicle stability, giving you a smoother and more predictable driving experience.
Reduced safety risks: Misaligned wheels can pull your car to one side, increasing stopping distances and making it harder to maintain control in emergencies.

The alignment process typically involves adjusting three key angles:

Camber: The tilt of the wheel when viewed from the front.
Caster: The angle of the steering axis when viewed from the side.
Toe: The angle of the wheels in relation to each other, when viewed from above.

Wheel alignment is an important part of routine car maintenance and should be done regularly, especially after hitting potholes, curbs, or experiencing any changes in handling or tyre wear.

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Front Toe

"Front toe" refers to the alignment of the front wheels of your vehicle when viewed from above. It specifies how much the tyres turn inward (toe-in) or outward (toe-out) relative to the centerline of the car.

Rear Toe

Rear toe refers to the angle of the rear wheels in relation to the centerline of the car, viewed from above. Similar to front toe, it can be either toe-in (angled inwards) or toe-out (angled outwards).

Camber

Camber, in the context of wheel alignment, refers to the angle of the tyre in relation to the vertical, when viewed from the front of the vehicle. It essentially tells you how much the top of the tyre leans in or out compared to a perfectly straight position.

Caster