Incorrect
alignment can result in rapid irregular tyre wear and can even affect the
handling and safety of the vehicle.
Wheel
alignment can be affected by driving against a kerb, hitting a pothole in the
road or by excessive wear to steering or suspension components. Alignment of
wheels and tyres to the specification required by your vehicle is an important
way to guarantee a smooth ride and to get the most out of your tyres.
The
direction and angle at which tyres are set are both important. Wheel alignment
or 'tracking' involves checking the direction and angle against vehicle
manufacturers' specifications. These are often described as toe in, toe out,
positive camber or negative camber.
"Toe"
refers to whether the front of the tyres are closer or further apart than the
rear of the tyres. Different types of vehicles need different toe settings to
allow for the way that wheels pull either towards each other or apart.
"Camber"
is the inward or outward tilt of a tyre. The camber is set by the vehicle
manufacturer, and can be affected by potholes in the road and may need to be
adjusted periodically.
It's
worth keeping an eye out for unusual wear on your tyres, such as premature wear
on the inside or outside shoulder, which could be caused by an incorrect camber
setting.
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