A Car’s Wheel Alignment Explained: What it is, and Why You Should Care
When you take your car to get a new set of tires installed, get your tires rotated, or even to a shop after a small accident, you may have heard your mechanic (or uncle, brother, dad, sister, or cousin) recommend getting a wheel alignment.
An alignment, as the name implies, helps your car drive in a straight line. The “why” may seem simple, though many can’t explain it in a way that doesn’t leave the car-confused scratching their heads even harder.
I didn’t realize what exactly it was until recently. I also learned what the heck a “camber” and a “toe” mean with an alignment, and most importantly, why every girl I know should have a well-rounded understanding of it.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. No AI was used.
I Didn’t Learn about Bad Wheel Alignment Until it was Too Late
During a routine oil change, my mechanic sent me a video of herself walking around my car, and she pointed out how bald my tires have become on the inside shoulder (or sometimes “edge”). It shocked me to see them in such horrible condition.
She told me it was due to my wheel alignment being off, and that parts of my tire had been worn down to below the manufacturer limit. I was horrified at the idea that I had been driving around in the rainiest month of the year with nearly bald tires.
To get a better understanding of what the issue is and how to prevent it, I talked to TJ Campbell, the Tire Information & Testing Manager at Tire Rack.
So, What Makes Up Wheel Alignment?
According to Campbell, your car’s wheel alignment refers to the angle at which the tires come into contact with the road. There are three main components to the alignment:
- Camber: Camber refers to a slight sideways slant of the tires.
- Caster: Caster mainly affects steering, but can have an impact on the car’s camber.
- Tow: Toe refers to the angle at which your tires point in or out when viewed from above
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How Does the Car’s Wheel Alignment Get Out Of Place Anyways?
Alignments can go out of place for a few reasons. According to TJ, a car’s alignment can warp out of place after hitting potholes or bumping into things such as curbs, walls, and other vehicles.
Parts like tie rod ends, upper and lower control arms (depending on the vehicle), steering racks, ball joints, springs, worn bushings, and other suspension components can wear over time – contributing to an out-of-balance alignment.
A car’s alignment can go out of place from driving too quickly over speed bumps, too.
It just goes to show how relatively quickly and easily wheel alignment can be knocked into the negative.
If Something Like the Above Happens, What Should I Do?
If your tires look anything like mine did, my first piece of advice would be to get your tires replaced as soon as possible. After having new tires installed, having your car’s alignment checked should be the very next thing you do.
Most shops will include that as part of a tire installation, but it never hurts to ask and double-check. It’s important to make sure wheel alignment is included (or can be included), as putting new tires on a car with a bad alignment can wear your fresh tires out faster than normal.
It’s best to get a new alignment on a ‘square tire’, or a brand-new tire, without any wear on it. Tire specialists want to be able to align the tire as squarely as possible with the ground to ensure a smooth and safe driving experience
What Else Can I Do to Prevent the Tires from Wearing Unevenly?
Rotate, rotate, rotate. The most preventative measure you can take against uneven wear is to rotate your tires regularly. Not only will this prevent uneven wear on the tread, but regular rotations are the best way to see if there is an issue with the alignment.
Beyond regularly rotating your tires, making sure the tires are properly inflated is the next best way to ensure longevity. The tires must have the proper inflation pressure to perform correctly; underinflation means your tires are less stable, have less traction, and wear faster, while overinflation puts you at a higher risk of getting a flat tire.
Underinflation will exponentially kill your tire’s life. According to TJ, if the tire is 20% under inflation, it will wear 40% faster.
Temperature Can Be a Threat to Tires, Too
Temperature and altitude also affect tire pressure. If you live in Colorado like myself, tire pressure is something that needs to be monitored regularly. The tire pressure light (if equipped) only comes on if the tire is under 25% deflated, meaning if your tires are 0-24% deflated, it can go undetected.
When the temperature changes regularly, your tire pressure does too. TJ told us that with every 10-degree shift in the weather, your tire pressure will change by 1 psi.
This means that to accurately monitor your tire’s health, you should manually check the tire pressure regularly.
So, What Should You Take From This?
Taking care of your car’s alignment is the best way to prevent uneven wear on your tires. A car’s alignment can be knocked out of place for many different reasons, such as potholes, curbs, and minor collisions. It’s much easier to alter your car’s alignment than you think.
The best way to stay ahead of a crooked alignment is to rotate your tires as often as possible, and manually monitor the tire pressure, especially during drastic weather changes.
And remember, if you’re in dire need of a re-alignment, it’s best to do it right after you get your new tires.
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