For longest tire life and improved operation of a vehicle, the wheels should be aligned so they are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the ground. One initial indicator of a problem most drivers notice is uneven tire wear. If a problem is suspected in their front end alignment Houston vehicle owners should call to schedule service.
Aligning the wheels and balancing them are two very different processes. Although both affect the vehicle handling and ride, they are otherwise unrelated. Wheels out of balance can result in a vibrating vehicle at highway speeds. This vibration can be felt in the passenger cabin of the car and in the steering wheel.
When scheduling this type of service, owners should be familiar with three important terms: Caster, Camber and Toe-in. These settings will be tested and adjusted if necessary to align the wheels. Each one is very different; however, all must be set correctly in order to ensure the vehicle has been aligned properly.
Camber refers to the angle of the tire sidewalls. When the top of a wheel leans toward the sides of the car it has positive camber. If it leans in toward the center the vehicle has negative camber. When the camber needs adjustment tires will wear on one side more than on the other. If the camber is different from one side to the other vehicles can pull to one side of the road. Today many vehicles with a traverse axle do not allow the camber to be set. With these vehicles, camber problems can indicate worn parts or those that have been damaged during an accident. These cars will need to have parts replaced to correct problems.
While caster has less effect on tire wear, it is very important for vehicle handling. This measures the pivot angle of steering. It can lead to difficulty in turning and cause kicks when encountering bumps. It can also make keeping the vehicle operating in a straight line when driving down the road. If the two wheels have different caster settings, the car can pull to one side. It is also not adjustable on many newer vehicles.
The toe-in measurement ensures that the tires roll in parallel lines. It is calculated by subtracting the distances between the fronts and the backs of tires. If incorrect, the toe-in results in rapid wear of both tires. It can create a saw toot wear pattern in the tread of the tire.
Another option today is to have all four wheels aligned. This procedure involves additional work and will cost more but can result in better handling and tire wear for a vehicle that has problems. Owners may want to ask the technician the best option for the vehicle they are driving in order to ensure better handling.
When owners notice a vehicle no longer handles properly or shows irregular wear of the tires, it may be time to have it aligned. Using front end alignment Houston car owners can see improvements in both areas. These adjustments help to improve vehicle safety and save some cash.
Aligning the wheels and balancing them are two very different processes. Although both affect the vehicle handling and ride, they are otherwise unrelated. Wheels out of balance can result in a vibrating vehicle at highway speeds. This vibration can be felt in the passenger cabin of the car and in the steering wheel.
When scheduling this type of service, owners should be familiar with three important terms: Caster, Camber and Toe-in. These settings will be tested and adjusted if necessary to align the wheels. Each one is very different; however, all must be set correctly in order to ensure the vehicle has been aligned properly.
Camber refers to the angle of the tire sidewalls. When the top of a wheel leans toward the sides of the car it has positive camber. If it leans in toward the center the vehicle has negative camber. When the camber needs adjustment tires will wear on one side more than on the other. If the camber is different from one side to the other vehicles can pull to one side of the road. Today many vehicles with a traverse axle do not allow the camber to be set. With these vehicles, camber problems can indicate worn parts or those that have been damaged during an accident. These cars will need to have parts replaced to correct problems.
While caster has less effect on tire wear, it is very important for vehicle handling. This measures the pivot angle of steering. It can lead to difficulty in turning and cause kicks when encountering bumps. It can also make keeping the vehicle operating in a straight line when driving down the road. If the two wheels have different caster settings, the car can pull to one side. It is also not adjustable on many newer vehicles.
The toe-in measurement ensures that the tires roll in parallel lines. It is calculated by subtracting the distances between the fronts and the backs of tires. If incorrect, the toe-in results in rapid wear of both tires. It can create a saw toot wear pattern in the tread of the tire.
Another option today is to have all four wheels aligned. This procedure involves additional work and will cost more but can result in better handling and tire wear for a vehicle that has problems. Owners may want to ask the technician the best option for the vehicle they are driving in order to ensure better handling.
When owners notice a vehicle no longer handles properly or shows irregular wear of the tires, it may be time to have it aligned. Using front end alignment Houston car owners can see improvements in both areas. These adjustments help to improve vehicle safety and save some cash.
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