A wheel alignment consists of adjusting the components of a vehicle’s suspension system to correct the direction and angles of the wheels for maximum driving safety and optimum vehicle performance. The suspension of a vehicle is the mechanism that attaches it to its wheels. Alignment ensures that wheels are perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other to ensure correct contact with the road. The longevity of your tyres and the safety of you and your family while driving, depend on proper wheel alignment.

By accidentally bumping into something like a pavement or a pothole, or by excessive wear to the suspension or steering, tyres can be bumped out of alignment.

Negative effects of misaligned wheels:

• Drifting out of traffic lanes.
• Increased friction between tyres and the road surface.
• If one wheel is out of alignment, the other wheels have to compensate and work harder.
• Counter steering to get the vehicle straight.
• Thinning tyre tread or uneven tyre wear.
• Flat tyres.
• Poor fuel consumption due to dragging.
• Future mechanical problems.
• A loss of traction in an emergency. 

Be alert to the following warning signs of compromised wheel alignment:

• Uneven or rapid tyre wear.
• Squealing tyres while turning.
• Wheels are slanting inwards or outwards while the car is parked but should be standing straight up.
• A crooked steering wheel when driving straight.
• Noisy steering.
• The steering wheel shakes and does not return to its normal centre position.
• Continuous pulling to the right or the left side of the road.

Main wheel alignment angles:

• Camber angle (vertical angle): the angle at which wheels are tipped in or out relative to the top of the tyre. Affects the tyre tread.
• Caster angle (for front wheels): the tilt of the steering axis of each front wheel as seen from the side of the car. This angle affects the ability of your steering wheel to return to its original position after turning.
• Toe angle (inward/outward pointing of wheels): the angle at which a pair of wheels’ leading edges point towards (“toe-in”) or away from (“toe-out”) each other. Affects tyre wear, straight-line stability and corner handling.

Your wheel alignment should be checked every 10 000kms or once a year. Visit one of our branches where one of our experts will make sure that your car’s wheel alignment is in order so that your safety is not compromised.