When Should a Car Undergo Four-Wheel Alignment?
2 Answers
New vehicles should undergo four-wheel alignment promptly after three months of driving or following a collision. Below is information regarding four-wheel alignment: 1. Four-wheel alignment is based on the vehicle's four-wheel parameters, adjusted to ensure optimal driving performance and certain reliability. 2. The installation of a car's steering wheels, steering knuckles, and front axle involves specific relative positions. This installation with defined relative positions is called steering wheel alignment, also known as front-wheel alignment. Front-wheel alignment includes four components: kingpin caster (angle), kingpin inclination (angle), wheel camber (angle), and toe-in. 3. For the two rear wheels, there is also a relative position in their installation with the rear axle, referred to as rear-wheel alignment, which includes wheel camber (angle) and individual rear wheel toe-in. Collectively, front-wheel alignment and rear-wheel alignment are termed four-wheel alignment.
I've been driving for over 20 years, and I always get a wheel alignment done at the shop after installing new tires. The angles need to be adjusted precisely when new tires are mounted, otherwise uneven wear can be severe, forcing you to replace them within months and wasting money. During routine maintenance, I also remind technicians to check it. Even a slight misalignment warrants an alignment—signs like an off-center steering wheel or the car veering on straight roads are clear indicators. After an accident, it's even more crucial; if the suspension components have been impacted, they must be readjusted to prevent accelerated wear. Regular alignment checks, say every 10,000 to 15,000 kilometers, are worth the small investment—just a few dozen bucks. It extends tire life, saves fuel costs, and makes highway driving much more stable. Personally, I find it absolutely worthwhile.
