Car alignment, also known as wheel alignment, is the process of adjusting a vehicle's suspension—the system that connects the car to its wheels—to ensure the wheels are angled correctly according to the manufacturer's specifications. This corrects the angles of the tires relative to each other and the road, which is crucial for even tire wear, precise steering, stable handling, and overall safety. The core of the work involves measuring and adjusting three primary angles: camber (the inward or outward tilt of the wheel when viewed from the front), caster (the forward or backward angle of the steering axis when viewed from the side, which affects steering stability and return-to-center), and toe (the extent to which the fronts of the tires point inward or outward relative to the center of the vehicle when viewed from above, influencing straight-line stability and tire scrubbing).
A professional technician performs an alignment using a specialized alignment machine. The vehicle is driven onto a rack, and sensors are attached to each wheel. These sensors send precise measurements to a computer, which displays the current angles against the ideal specifications for that specific make and model. If the readings are outside the acceptable range, the technician makes adjustments by loosening and turning various bolts on the suspension components, such as the tie rods (for toe) and control arms (for camber and caster).
| Alignment Angle | Ideal Specification Range (Typical Sedan) | Effect of Incorrect Alignment |
|---|
| Camber | -0.5 to +1.0 degrees | Positive camber causes outer edge tire wear; negative camber causes inner edge wear. |
| Caster | +3.0 to +6.0 degrees | Low caster leads to unstable steering; high caster increases steering effort but improves stability. |
| Toe | 0 to +0.10 degrees (toe-in) | Toe-in causes feathering on the outer edges; toe-out causes feathering on the inner edges. |
It's not a one-time fix. Alignment should be checked annually or whenever you notice signs like the vehicle pulling to one side, uneven tire wear, or an off-center steering wheel. Proper alignment is a fundamental aspect of vehicle maintenance that directly impacts your safety and wallet by extending tire life and ensuring predictable handling.
