Despite its name, wheel alignment service (also called tire alignments) doesn't involve the wheels themselves; rather, it has to do with making adjustments to the suspension so that the wheels roll at the right angles and the tires make complete contact with the ground. Modern suspensions hold their alignments much better than older systems. So, even though alignments are a common service item, they're generally performed "as-needed" instead of being part of your Subaru's routine maintenance schedule. As such, it's important to know the symptoms of improper alignment. In this blog, we'll provide a quick overview.
What does a wheel alignment address?
When you schedule wheel alignment service at Ourisman Subaru Waldorf, our technicians will check and adjust three attributes of the wheels positioning:
- Camber is a tire's degree of side-to-side. In negative camber, the top of the wheel leans toward the car, and in positive camber, it leans away. Wheels with proper camber make full and flat contact with the ground. Improper camber causes a tire to roll on its corners.
- Caster is the angle between the steering axis and the vertical axis. An imaginary line drawn from the steering axis to the ground should touch in front of the tire's contact patch. This is called positive caster and is necessary, to a certain degree, for stability and self-centering.
- Toe refers to the direction in which the tires are pointed. Excessive toe-in or toe-out will negatively affect handling and cause premature tire wear.
What are some causes and symptoms of bad wheel alignment?
Poor alignment can be the result of sharp impacts, such as hitting a curb or large pothole. It can also stem from old or worn components. Misalignment can cause the tire tread to wear on only one half or on the corners. You may also have poor alignment if you notice excessive vibration of the steering column, your car has difficulty holding a straight line, or if the steering wheel is off-center when the vehicle is traveling straight.
What are the benefits of proper wheel alignment?
Addressing alignment problems can result in improved fuel economy and handling. It can also help prevent premature tire wear and mitigate damage to suspension and steering equipment.
Get Subaru wheel alignment service at Ourisman Subaru Waldorf near Prince Frederick and Mechanicsville MD
If you notice any of the symptoms listed above, or if you've experienced a sharp impact and want to ensure everything is still in proper order, we invite you to schedule a service appointment as soon as possible, or take advantage of our Express Service lane. And if you have any questions about the necessary maintenance for your specific Subaru model, please don't hesitate to contact us at your earliest convenience. It will be our pleasure to assist you.
