What Everyone
Should Know About Wheel Alignment |
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IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
ABOUT WHEEL
ALIGNMENT |
| Q |
How important is wheel alignment? |
| A |
Think of it this way. Research indicates that the
average vehicle is driven about 12,000 miles per
year. A car with a toe angle misadjustment of 0.34
degrees (only 0.17 inches) out of specification will
drag the tires sideways for more than 68 miles by
the end of the year! |
| Q |
What are the "symptoms" of a vehicle
with incorrect alignment? |
| A |
Have your vehicle checked
if you notice:
• Excessive or uneven
tire wear.
• The vehicle pulls to
the left or right.
• Feeling of looseness
or wandering.
• Steering wheel vibration
or shimmy.
• Steering wheel is not
centered when the vehicle is moving straight ahead.
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| Q |
How often should I have my vehicle aligned? |
| A |
Follow the vehicle manufacturer's
recommendation noted in your owner's manual. As
a general rule, have your wheel alignment checked
every 10,000 miles or at least once a year.
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Reduce Tire Wear
Improper alignment is a major cause
of premature tire wear. Over the years, a properly aligned
vehicle can
add thousands of miles to tire life. Most tires are replaced
prematurely due to adverse wear.
Better
Gas Mileage
Gas mileage increases
as rolling resistance decreases. Total Alignment
sets all four wheels parallel, which
along with proper inflation, minimizes rolling resistance.
Improved Handling
Does your car pull to one side? Do
you constantly have to move the steering wheel to keep
your car traveling
straight ahead? Many handling problems can be corrected
by Total Alignment service. With all the vehicle components
aligned properly, road shock is more efficiently absorbed
for a smoother ride.
Safer Driving
A suspension system inspection is part
of the alignment procedure. This allows worn parts to
be detected before
they cause costly problems.
Here's What We Do:
For vehicles with non-adjustable rear suspension:
1.
Alignment angle readings are measured at all wheels.
2.
The steering wheel is centered.
3. Adjustable front wheel
alignment angles are referenced to the rear thrust line
and set to the vehicle manufacturer's
specification.
Result: all four wheels are parallel to
one another and the steering wheel Is centered.
For vehicles with adjustable
rear suspension:
1. Alignment angle readings are measured
at all wheels.
2. Adjustable rear alignment angles are
set to the manufacturer's specification. (Rear thrust
line corresponds to vehicle
centerline.)
3. Steering wheel is centered.
4. Adjustable front wheel
alignment angles are referenced to the rear thrust line
and set to the manufacturer's
specification.
Result: all four wheels are positioned
straight ahead and parallel, and the steering wheel is
centered.
This Can Happen To Any Vehicle
On this vehicle, the front
wheels are not aligned to the rear thrust line. This
can happen
from
normal
wear
and stress, whether your vehicle has adjustable or non-adjustable
rear suspension.
To travel straight ahead, you would have to steer the
front wheels slightly to the right.
A common result would be that
the vehicle would "dog
track" and possibly "pull" to the side.
Of course, the angles are exaggerated so you can more
easily see the condition. It takes only a small amount
of misalignment to create handling problems and cause
rapid tire wear.
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How Hunter
Digital Imaging Wheel Alignment Technology Works
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Hunter's
DSP600 Picture Perfect digital imaging technology uses
four precision cameras in the
aligner "tower" to
measure the position and orientation of reflection
targets mounted on each wheel of your car. 
The
aligner computer uses this information to calculate
your car's current alignment measurements and then
compares these measurements to  the car manufacturer's
(O.E.M.)
alignment specifications. If it determines that your car's wheel alignment is
outside factory specifications, the aligner provides
the technician with the exact information needed to make
the  proper
adjustments and return the alignment angles to the manufacturer's
specifications.
This imformation about Wheel
Alignment is provided courtesy of:
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