How to Determine the Position of the Wheels?
3 Answers
Here is an introduction related to the position of the wheels: 1. When judging the position of the left wheel: The position of the left wheel can be determined by observing the alignment between the wiper node and the centerline of the road. When the driver sees the wiper node coincide with the centerline, it indicates that the left tire will pass over it. Accurately judging the trajectory of the left tire can help avoid potholes and stones on the road. 2. When judging the position of the right wheel: When the driver's line of sight intersects the node of the right wiper and the target line, it means the tire will pass over the target line. When the driver's line of sight aligns the intersection point of the dashboard and the A-pillar with the centerline of the road, it indicates that the body of the car is exactly 60 centimeters away from the centerline at that moment.
Knowing the wheel position while driving is actually quite simple. I often sense it through the feedback when turning the steering wheel—the angle of the wheels when turning gives you a sense of the car's movement. When parking or pulling over, I watch the rearview mirror; the side mirror can show the distance between the tire and the curb. New cars with backup cameras also display tire position lines on the screen, which is super handy. Why is it important? Safety first—avoiding running over stones or scraping the rims, especially when the road is slippery in the rain. Changes in wheel grip can alert you to uneven road surfaces. I also check the tires by getting out of the car occasionally, like squatting to see if the tread wear is uneven, which might indicate misalignment, allowing timely repairs to prevent blowouts. Remember, practice parking a few more times, and the instinct will come naturally.
As someone who enjoys DIY car tuning, I understand that the position of each wheel is determined by visual observation and accumulated experience. I open the door and squat down to check—the front two wheels are more flexible in steering, while the rear drive wheels are slightly wider. When changing tires, I make sure to note the status of the tire pressure sensors—the dashboard will display a warning light indicating which wheel has an issue. Paying attention to wheel positioning during repairs is crucial for proper wheel alignment; otherwise, steering drift or severe tire wear may occur. In daily driving, I’m accustomed to listening for changes in tire noise—for example, a humming sound during high-speed cornering might indicate improper wheel alignment. I recommend marking a diagram on your phone after each tire change or maintenance session for easy reference during the next service.
