Why Total Alignment?
Reduced 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 a tire life. Most tires are replaced prematurely de to adverse wear.
Better Gas Mileage
Gas mileage increases as rolling resistance decrease. 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? Any 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:
• Alignment angle readings are measured at all wheels.
• The steering wheel is centered.
• Adjustable front wheel alignment angles are referenced to the rear thrust line and set to the manufacturer's specification.
Result: all four wheels are parallel to one another and steering wheel is centered.
Four vehicles with adjustable rear suspension:
• Alignment angle readings are measured at all wheels.
• Adjustable rear alignment angles are set to the manufacturer's specification.
• Steering wheel is centered
• 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 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 he 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.
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 toe angle mis-adjustments 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 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 he vehicle is moving straight ahead
Q. How often should I have my vehicle aligned?
A. Follow the vehicle manufacturer's manual. But, as a general rule, have your wheel alignment checked every 10,000 miles or at least once a year.
|
