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What is an alignment on Your Car?

A wheel alignment (or tire alignment) on your car is the process of precisely adjusting or aligning the front and rear wheels so they all point straight forward. During a vehicle alignment, your vehicle is put on an alignment machine and the technician will adjust the three main suspension angles known as Caster, Camber, and Toe.

What are Caster, Camber, and Toe?

Caster – The caster angle is the forward and back angle of the steering axis. Caster adjustments are only made on the front two tires that steer. An incorrect caster angle will cause your vehicle to wander or pull to one side while driving.

Camber – The camber angle is the inward or outward tilt of the wheels as seen from the front of the vehicle. An incorrect camber angle will cause excessive tire wear and can cause your vehicle to pull to either side while driving.

Toe – The toe angle is in the inward or outward tilt of the wheels as seen from above. An incorrect toe angle will wear your tire tread down prematurely.

Why are wheel alignments important?

Proper alignment on your vehicle will result in a smoother ride, better handling, increased fuel efficiency, and your tires will last much longer. Your vehicle can get knocked out of alignment with regular driving for instance; hitting potholes, grazing curbs, or other hazards can change alignment angles. When your tires are misaligned, your vehicle can wander or pull to one side of the road causing your tires and suspension parts to wear out prematurely.

How do I know if I need an alignment?

You should have your vehicle’s alignment checked at least once a year or if you’ve hit a curb or pothole recently. Watch for the following signs if you think your vehicle is out of alignment.

⦁ Uneven tire wear – Check the tread on your tires, if you notice some areas on your tire with less tread compared to other areas, especially the inside or outside edge, you may need an alignment. Keep in mind, uneven tire wear can be on just a few tires or even just one tire.

⦁ Steering wheel vibration – This vibration will occur regardless of the road surface. This can also mean the tires are out of balance or a wheel is bent.

⦁ Off-center steering wheel – When driving straight, your steering wheel should be straight, if it tilts to the right or left, your vehicle has alignment issues.

⦁ Vehicle pulling – When driving straight, if you take your hand off the steering wheel for a couple of seconds, does your vehicle veer left or right? If so, your vehicle has poor alignment.

What is the difference between wheel alignment and wheel balance?

A wheel alignment adjusts the suspension components on a vehicle, while a wheel balance evenly balances the weight of a wheel and tire. Each tire and wheel assembly has small weights placed on the inside rim of the wheel to evenly distribute the weight around the wheel. During a wheel balance, the tire and wheel are removed from your vehicle and put on a balancing machine that spins the tire and wheel and tells the technician exactly where to put the weights.

The difference between wheel alignment and wheel balance is often confused because signs of an out-of-balance tire and wheel and a misaligned vehicle are sometimes similar, for example, steering wheel vibration.

Do I need a front-wheel or four-wheel alignment?

This will depend on your vehicle. Some vehicles have a solid rear axle that cannot be adjusted, so a front-end alignment is all that can be done. Typically, all-wheel-drive vehicles have a front axle and rear axle that are adjustable, in that case, a four-wheel alignment is needed. The technician at your neighborhood Hilltop Tire Service center will be able to advise you on what your vehicle needs.

How much does an alignment cost?

At Hilltop Tire Service wheel alignments start at $75. The price depends on the type of vehicle and if you need a front wheel alignment or four-wheel alignment.

How long does an alignment take?

On average, an alignment takes about one to two hours. Here at Hilltop Tire Service, our alignment techs are known in the area for their quality wheel alignments and suspension repair. They are typically booked a few days out because of the high demand for their quality workmanship. So, if you need an alignment, get it scheduled today!