by Biloxi Von Lutz

Created on: May 05, 2010   Last Updated: May 28, 2010

Having the front end alignment checked on your vehicle is one of the simplest things you can do to prolong the life of your tires. Despite popular thought, the alignment of your vehicle doesn't affect the ride or steering function of your vehicle nearly as much as it affects tire wear. Before explaining how to determine if you need an alignment, let's explore what a front-end alignment actually accomplishes.

The front wheels on a typical passenger car or truck should be completely parallel to each other. This permits the vehicle to track straight with very little wear to the tires. Over time, or if the vehicle hits a number of potholes or is driven over rough terrain, the front end parts can work themselves out of adjustment and the front wheels will no longer be parallel. This will the cause the tires to wear. If you take your car into the shop for an alignment, the mechanic will measure the distance between the wheels at the front of the tires on the front axle and the distance between the wheels at back of the tires on the front axle. If this distance varies, he will then adjust the tie rods of the steering system accordingly until they match the manufacturers specifications. 

To tell if your vehicle needs an alignment, turn your steering wheel all the way to one side and go look at the tires on the front. The tire should be wearing evenly on both the inside and outside shoulders. If one side is wearing more than the other, then you should have your alignment checked. 

If a tire is wearing on the inside edge, the tire is toed-out. This means that the front of the tire is pointing away from the vehicle. If the tire is wearing on the outside edge, the tire is toed-in and the opposite is true. Either of these conditions can greatly reduce the life of your tires, and you may not be able to tell if your alignment is off just from the way the vehicle steers or rides, so it's important to keep a close eye on the wear pattern of your tires.

Additionally, the camber of your vehicle may need to occasionally be adjusted. If you have a high-performance car, it may have been designed for the bottom of the wheels to lean slightly outward. This is known as negative camber and can help the car corner when turning at high rates of speed. Conversely, heavy-duty trucks built to carry heavy loads may be designed with a positive camber, with the bottom of the tire leaning in. This ensures that the tires ride flat when the suspension is compressed while carrying heavy loads. Positive camber is not nearly as prevalent in modern truck suspensions as it was in years past.

Monitoring your vehicle's alignment, along with regular tire rotations and air pressure checks, will ensure that you get the maximum life out of your tires. Even if you can't perform the repairs yourself, arming yourself with a little knowledge beforehand will help you save on repair costs and also ensure you get the maximum value and performance from your vehicle.

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