Automotive

Why Do Cars Need Wheel Alignment?

Wheel Alignment is a process of adjusting the angles of the wheels to ensure that they are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the ground. Proper Wheel Alignment Wokingham helps to ensure that the tyres wear evenly which maximizes their lifespan and improves fuel efficiency. It also helps to maintain the vehicle's handling and stability which improves safety and drivers confidence. To perform a wheel alignment a technician will use specialized equipment to measure the current alignment angles. This equipment includes all the tools required such as a lift, a computer module, post-mounted cameras, and a set of four targets or sensors. 

What happens in Wheel Alignment?

All four-wheelers, after having been driven for a certain distance, are supposed to undergo wheel alignment. The wheels of a vehicle look as if they are perfectly straight and vertical. This arrangement seems logical. The surprising thing is that to improve vehicle performance, each manufacturer specifies some predefined angles to the wheels of their cars. The technician brings the car to the alignment lift. Then the targets are attached to the outside of each wheel. From that position, the cameras work with the targets to record measurements. Then the technician lifts the car and starts to adjust the misaligned angles. 

There are three different angles associated with the wheels. Let's first explore the camber angle. The camber angle is perfectly visible when viewed from the front of the car. This angle can be either positive or negative. A negative camber improves the cornering performance of the car. To understand how negative camber improves cornering performance, first let us analyze how a car corners, with a zero camber angle. A centripetal force is required for the car to corner. This centripetal force comes from the frictional force between the tyre and the road. The reason is simple. The outer tyres will have the highest normal force during cornering. 

Now, let's see what this frictional force does to the tyre. The tyre starts to become deformed. Due to this deformation, the contact area of the wheel with the road decreases significantly. This will lead to poor frictional force. One easy way to increase this contact is to tilt the outer wheels inwards. And this is exactly what negative camber is. 

The next important thing in the automobile is the caster angle. At this angle, the wheels turn around a steering axis. This steering axis is never vertical in practice. The inclination of the steering axis is called the caster angle. This angle is quite critical for an automobile. You may have noticed that, after taking a turn, when you release the steering wheel, it automatically goes to its central position. This steering wheel return ability is created by the caster angle. 

The toe angle is the most sensitive of the three angles. A zero toe angle gives minimum wear to the wheels. However, as you drive the steering wheel undergoes minor unintentional movements. These minor steering wheel movements should not affect the straight-line motion of the car. 

Reason Why Cars Need Wheel Alignment

When your vehicle is out of alignment three basic problems may occur. Irregular tyre wear, handling problems, and a crooked steering wheel. A common indicator of misalignment is regular tyre wear. The wear begins on the shoulder of the tyre or tyres and continues until corrected which may lead to a significantly short tyre life. Another indication of misalignment is a pull to one side or the other requiring constant correction to maintain a straight path. Additionally, a crooked steering wheel indicates your vehicle needs in alignment especially if your vehicle has driver assist systems which typically rely on data from the steering angle sensor to function properly.

 So if you see a shift in the position of your steering wheel, regular tyre wear, or if your car is pulling to one side or the other, get an alignment check as soon as possible. Some wheel alignment can be checked with simple adjustments while others may require parts replacement. Ignoring these signs can make your alignment problems more expensive to address down the road, can reduce the life of your tyres, and can even cause the driver-assist system to malfunction. 

Conclusion

Thus, it's important to have your wheels aligned checked as part of your car's routine maintenance especially if you notice any handling issues or unusual tyre wear patterns. A qualified technician can adjust all the angles as needed to ensure optimal handling and performance. It is recommended to get your wheels aligned every 10,000 kilometers or every one year. Wheel Alignment Wokingham can be done at various locations including auto repair shops, tyre shops, or speciality alignment shops. So, finally maintaining proper wheel alignment is essential to avoid unnecessary wear on your tyres, steering, suspension, and brakes.