For longest tire life and improved operation of a vehicle, the wheels should be aligned so they are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the ground. One initial indicator of a problem most drivers notice is uneven tire wear. If a problem is suspected in their front end alignment Houston vehicle owners should call to schedule service.
Aligning the wheels and balancing them are two very different processes. Although both affect the vehicle handling and ride, they are otherwise unrelated. Wheels out of balance can result in a vibrating vehicle at highway speeds. This vibration can be felt in the passenger cabin of the car and in the steering wheel.
When having the vehicle aligned, drivers will want to be familiar with three terms: Caster, Camber, and Toe-in. These are the three basic settings that will be checked and changed during the procedure. While each is a very different setting for the wheel all must be correct to properly align the vehicle.
The angle of the tire sidewalls to the ground is measured in degrees and called camber. Wheels should not lean in or out for proper wear. When they do lean the tires wear more on one side than the other. If camber differs on the two wheels, it can cause the vehicle to pull to one side of the road. While this can be adjusted on rear wheel drive vehicles, many newer passenger cars are not designed for adjustment. Problems with camber indicate worn or damaged parts that must be replaced in order to bring the vehicle back into the tolerances established by the manufacturer.
Caster problems do not generally affect tire life but can affect the handling of an automobile. This measures the steering pivot angle. When the caster is positive it can be difficult to make turns and the car can kick when hitting a bump. When negative the car can make it difficult to maintain a straight line when driving. If caster is uneven, the car will pull when driving. Caster is also not adjustable on many newer vehicles.
Toe-in ensures that tires are rolling in a parallel setting. This setting is determined by measuring the distance between tires at the leading and following edges. Differences of a fraction of an inch can cause rapid wear of each tire. The rubber develops a saw tooth wear pattern.
Today, vehicle owners are often better served by having all 4 wheels aligned. While the procedure costs more due to the additional work involved it may ensure better handling and tire wear for the vehicle. The technician can recommend the best procedure for each particular vehicle.
When a vehicle is not handling as it should or the owner notices irregular tire wear, the wheels of the vehicle may need to be aligned. With front end alignment Houston vehicle owners can improve both these situations. The adjustments can help to improve safety and save money.
Aligning the wheels and balancing them are two very different processes. Although both affect the vehicle handling and ride, they are otherwise unrelated. Wheels out of balance can result in a vibrating vehicle at highway speeds. This vibration can be felt in the passenger cabin of the car and in the steering wheel.
When having the vehicle aligned, drivers will want to be familiar with three terms: Caster, Camber, and Toe-in. These are the three basic settings that will be checked and changed during the procedure. While each is a very different setting for the wheel all must be correct to properly align the vehicle.
The angle of the tire sidewalls to the ground is measured in degrees and called camber. Wheels should not lean in or out for proper wear. When they do lean the tires wear more on one side than the other. If camber differs on the two wheels, it can cause the vehicle to pull to one side of the road. While this can be adjusted on rear wheel drive vehicles, many newer passenger cars are not designed for adjustment. Problems with camber indicate worn or damaged parts that must be replaced in order to bring the vehicle back into the tolerances established by the manufacturer.
Caster problems do not generally affect tire life but can affect the handling of an automobile. This measures the steering pivot angle. When the caster is positive it can be difficult to make turns and the car can kick when hitting a bump. When negative the car can make it difficult to maintain a straight line when driving. If caster is uneven, the car will pull when driving. Caster is also not adjustable on many newer vehicles.
Toe-in ensures that tires are rolling in a parallel setting. This setting is determined by measuring the distance between tires at the leading and following edges. Differences of a fraction of an inch can cause rapid wear of each tire. The rubber develops a saw tooth wear pattern.
Today, vehicle owners are often better served by having all 4 wheels aligned. While the procedure costs more due to the additional work involved it may ensure better handling and tire wear for the vehicle. The technician can recommend the best procedure for each particular vehicle.
When a vehicle is not handling as it should or the owner notices irregular tire wear, the wheels of the vehicle may need to be aligned. With front end alignment Houston vehicle owners can improve both these situations. The adjustments can help to improve safety and save money.
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