Road safety should be a top priority for all drivers. It’s impossible to control the decisions of other drivers, but there’s plenty you can do to make sure that your own vehicle is as safe as it can be. Wheel alignment is one of the most critical factors in vehicle safety that’s often overlooked. Ensuring that your wheel alignment is up to standard is a part of ensuring the overall safety of your vehicle.
Many drivers don’t know much about the importance of wheel alignment and how wheel alignment machines help ensure safety on the road. As a driver, you should understand the importance of wheel alignment and how it can affect your vehicle.
Here’s how wheel alignment machines keep you safe as you drive:
Wheel Alignment Explained
Wheel alignment has to do with the adjustments of the suspension system and other components that work together to support and control your vehicle. It’s about making sure that the wheels are well-balanced, aligned, and make proper contact with the road.
Alignment is one of the more essential features contributing toward vehicle safety, alongside other additional safety features. One of the keys to maintaining a safe and properly functioning vehicle. During the alignment process, the angles of the wheels are adjusted to make contact with the road in the way they should.
check three things:
- Toe. This is the angle of your wheels when viewed from above. An easy way to understand toe alignment is to use your own feet. Walk with your feet angled outward—this is considered ‘toe-out’ alignment. Now, walk with your feet angled inwards—this is called ‘toe-in’ alignment.
- Camber. The camber angle affects cornering and stability. Camber angle concerns the inward or outward tilt of the wheels. If the tilt is such that weight is placed more to the outside of the tires, this is called ‘positive camber.’ If the tilt puts the weight onto the inside of the wheels, it’s called ‘negative camber.’ Positive camber will promote vehicle stability, while negative camber improves control during cornering and is generally preferred in high-performance vehicles.
- Caster. Caster angle refers to the tilt of a vehicle’s axis. It may be difficult to understand at first. Essentially, a positive caster angle is when the axis tilts toward the driver, while a negative caster is when the axis tilts away from the driver. It affects balance and steering, alongside cornering and stability. Caster angle is what helps keep your vehicle driving straight, while requiring minimal effort from you.
What Are Wheel Alignment Machines?
Mechanics use wheel alignment machines & combos to assist in setting the alignment of vehicles. Simply put, alignment machines are specialized machines made to measure the different aspects of a cars’ wheel alignment.
These machines play an important role in ensuring vehicle safety as it’s difficult to accurately set the alignment on modern vehicles without a specialized machine. The vehicle gets placed onto the machine, and the machine then measures the positioning of the wheels. A professional will then use the measurements reported by the machine to set the alignment correctly.
What Can Cause Bad Wheel Alignment?
Improper alignment can be caused by a multitude of various conditions. Some of the things that can cause misaligned wheels are:
- Age of the components
- Wear
- Driver error
- Accidents
- Knocks
- Environmental conditions
The components making up the suspension may be made of metal, but they’re still relatively fragile. All it takes is a little knock to throw them off. Driving over a pothole, at any speed, can easily cause your wheels to become misaligned. Wheel alignment can also shift over time just due to wear and regular use.
Signs That You May Need To Check Your Wheel Alignment
If you’re concerned that your vehicle may need a realignment, the easiest way to check would be to visit a professional who ‘ll be able to tell you. However, there are some signs you might notice and symptoms your vehicle might experience that indicate it’s time to get your wheel alignment checked. These include:
- Vehicle pulling to one side. This is a more serious issue than many people realize. If your vehicle is pulling away from the direction you steer in, it’s a telltale sign that your alignment needs to be checked.
- Uneven tire wear. The wear on your tires should ideally be equal and the same across all tires. If you notice uneven tread wear across tires, chances are your wheels are misaligned.
- Squealing tires. This relates to the previous point. Uneven tire wear can cause your tires to squeal during turns. This can also be a symptom of worn-out brake plates, but if you notice squealing and uneven wear, it may be time to get an alignment check.
- Off-center steering wheel. The steering wheel is centered during the alignment process. If your steering wheel is off-center, it’s a good indication that something is wrong.
- Steering wheel vibrates. You shouldn’t be able to feel it. If it happens to the point that your hands are affected, it’s time to visit a wheel alignment shop.
Safety Hazards Of Improper Wheel Alignment
Practicing safe driving habits is always important. With proper alignment, your car will be working the way it should. Misalignment will compromise the overall health of your vehicle, leading to potential safety concerns.
Driving with bad alignment is dangerous, especially at higher speeds. Your ability to steer will be affected, depending on the severity of your vehicles’ misalignment. The signs and symptoms of alignment issues are strongly related to the safety risks of improper wheel alignment. For example, a car pulling to one side a little while you’re driving may not feel like a problem, but it can be hazardous to swerve your car to avoid an accident quickly on wet roads or in situations where you need to swerve your vehicle promptly to avoid an accident.
Misalignment can stress tires, causing the aforementioned uneven tire wear, increasing the chances that your tires will blow out while you’re driving. It can also make your brakes not function properly as the improper angles can stop them from breaking easily.
Conclusion
At this point, it should be clear how important it is that the wheel alignment in your vehicle is checked regularly and is in good condition. The wheel alignment machine in your mechanic’s shop is more than just a toy. It’s an advanced machine, specialized to ensure vehicle health and keep your vehicle safe on the road.
