Wheel Alignment refers to an adjustment of a vehicle’s suspension – the system that connects a vehicle to its wheels.
It is not an adjustment of the tyres or wheels themselves.
The key to proper alignment is adjusting the angles of the tyres which affects how they make contact with the road.
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Wheel alignment – FAQ
What is the Typical Wheel Alignment Procedure?
The type of alignment and the length of the service your car will need will depend on its suspension and the nature of the damage or misalignment. The process involves bringing the vehicle’s suspension back into its proper configuration by securing the vehicle to an alignment machine, which then adjusts the applicable alignment angles (camber, caster, toe, etc.). If your car isn’t four-wheel or all-wheel drive, on average, your alignment service should be expected to take about half an hour.
What is wheel alignment?
Alignment refers to an adjustment of a vehicle’s suspension – the system that connects a vehicle to its wheels. It is not an adjustment of the tyres or wheels themselves. The key to proper alignment is adjusting the angles of the tyres which affects how they make contact with the road.
What Causes a Car to Need Alignment Services?
Knocking your car out of alignment can happen as suddenly as bouncing over a pothole you didn’t see or sliding into a curb during rainy weather. But it can happen gradually too as your car’s suspension parts experience unavoidable wear during the course of your day-to-day commutes.
How do I know how to operate my wheel alignment machine?
Every aligner comes with an owners/operation manual that provides the operator instructions. We have also compiled Keep your car on the straight and narrow to help out with the principles of alignment and safety. There is a You Tube demonstration available.
Do I need a UPS with my aligner?
Yes, you certainly do! As we all know the South African power grid is always under strain, and load shedding can happen at any time. The purpose of the UPS is to protect the electronic components of the aligner.
Can the database be updated on my aligner and how?
Integrated Marketing offers you a FREE yearly database update on our Lawrence aligners. All we require from you is an internet connection. No need to pay for those expensive yearly vehicle database updates, putting cash back in your pocket.
What are the symptoms of your car being out of alignment?
- Uneven or rapid tyre wear
- Steering wheel being crooked when you are driving straight
- Noisy steering
- Pulling to the right or left
- Squealing tyres
- Vehicle drifting across the road
- Visual miss-alignment of front and back wheels
What can happen if you do no have your wheels aligned?
Driving a vehicle with improper wheel alignment can cause uneven wear on your tyres. If the problem is not corrected soon enough, your vehicles tyres could suffer premature wear and tear, making them unsafe. Correct wheel alignment problems immediately to avoid unnecessary tyre damage.
How Long Does a Wheel Alignment Last?
Given the state of roads in South Africa, a wheel alignment should be done once a year unless you notice any signs you need a wheel alignment or experience any problems above. With regular maintenance, your tyres will last longer, all the parts will be at their optimal performance, and fuel consumption will be reduced.
Can you throw your car out of alignment?
Yes! It’s actually a normal part of your car’s wear and tear for it to get out of alignment every once in a while, — that’s why we recommend getting your car’s alignment checked annually. This being said, there are definitely things you can do that will negatively affect your car’s alignment more quickly than normal:
- Hitting curbs
- Driving quickly over speed bumps and/or potholes
- Getting in an accident (be it a fender bender, major accident, or run-in with an unfortunate animal)
Is it Bad to Drive a Car that is Out of Alignment?
Short answer: yes, especially if you thinking wasting money is bad. Long answer: Replacing a full set of tyres is one of those expensive but necessary costs that just comes with owning a car. The typical driver tries to stretch the lifespan of those tyres to the limit and driving on misaligned wheels can shorten tyre life by thousands of kilometers. Ouch. But in addition to accelerated tyre wear, you’ll also be paying more in fuel since your kilometers per liter (KM/L) will take a big hit in a car that’s expending so much energy just to drive straight. What Are the Car Alignment Symptoms You Should Look Out For? Before you take your car into the fitment center, run a quick check down this list at home to have a detailed report to give to the Technician;
Check tyre tread depth.
Are your tyres properly inflated?
Does your car pull slightly or sharply in one direction while driving?
Does the steering wheel vibrate while driving?
Is the steering wheel “crooked” while driving?
What is the difference between wheel alignment and wheel balancing?
While your automotive technician may also inspect the balance of your wheels during a wheel alignment service, the two services are very different though they’re often confused for each other. Here’s what you need to know about how they differ and intersect.
Wheel Alignment
Simply stated, wheel alignment involves adjusting the wheels’ angles to make sure they are perpendicular to the ground at right angles and parallel to each other.
Wheel Balancing
Wheel balancing ensures that all four tyres spin without causing vibrations. This is done by using lead balancing weights to compensate for irregularities of weight between tyres. Vibrations can be caused by as much as a gram of imbalance.
How do driving conditions affect my vehicle’s wheel alignment?
Your steering wheel might signal it’s time for a wheel alignment. Bad roads can be your wheels’ worst enemy. If you drive down poorly maintained roads, drive through pot holes, or even hit a curb, your alignment can be greatly affected. This can cause even the slightest, tiniest alignment issue, which can accelerate uneven tyre wear.
How will a wheel alignment help my vehicle?
A wheel alignment ensures optimal drivability. It will help your tyres last longer, your vehicle drives smoother, ultimately keeping your wheels pointed in the right direction. And, when it drives more smoothly, it’s smooth sailing—or should we say cruising—ahead. Plus, your car will require less energy to keep going, potentially saving a ton of fuel depending on how much alignment was required.
What does tyre wear mean to my car’s alignment?
The name of the poor alignment game is uneven tyre wear. Ideally, tyres should wear evenly across the tread. If you’re noticing excessive wear on the rear inside tyres, you may have too much junk in the trunk or need an alignment adjustment. Uneven tyre wear can also result in less KM/h and more pain at the fuel pump.
What is the Typical Wheel Alignment Procedure?
The type of alignment and the length of the service your car will need will depend on its suspension and the nature of the damage or misalignment. The process involves bringing the vehicle’s suspension back into its proper configuration by securing the vehicle to an alignment machine, which then adjusts the applicable alignment angles (camber, caster, toe, etc.). If your car isn’t four-wheel or all-wheel drive, on average, your alignment service should be expected to take about half an hour.
What is wheel alignment?
Alignment refers to an adjustment of a vehicle’s suspension – the system that connects a vehicle to its wheels. It is not an adjustment of the tyres or wheels themselves. The key to proper alignment is adjusting the angles of the tyres which affects how they make contact with the road.
What Causes a Car to Need Alignment Services?
Knocking your car out of alignment can happen as suddenly as bouncing over a pothole you didn’t see or sliding into a curb during rainy weather. But it can happen gradually too as your car’s suspension parts experience unavoidable wear during the course of your day-to-day commutes.
How do I know how to operate my wheel alignment machine?
Every aligner comes with an owners/operation manual that provides the operator instructions. We have also compiled Keep your car on the straight and narrow to help out with the principles of alignment and safety. There is a You Tube demonstration available.
Do I need a UPS with my aligner?
Yes, you certainly do! As we all know the South African power grid is always under strain, and load shedding can happen at any time. The purpose of the UPS is to protect the electronic components of the aligner.
Can the database be updated on my aligner and how?
Integrated Marketing offers you a FREE yearly database update on our Lawrence aligners. All we require from you is an internet connection. No need to pay for those expensive yearly vehicle database updates, putting cash back in your pocket.
What are the symptoms of your car being out of alignment?
- Uneven or rapid tyre wear
- Steering wheel being crooked when you are driving straight
- Noisy steering
- Pulling to the right or left
- Squealing tyres
- Vehicle drifting across the road
- Visual miss-alignment of front and back wheels
What can happen if you do no have your wheels aligned?
Driving a vehicle with improper wheel alignment can cause uneven wear on your tyres. If the problem is not corrected soon enough, your vehicles tyres could suffer premature wear and tear, making them unsafe. Correct wheel alignment problems immediately to avoid unnecessary tyre damage.
How Long Does a Wheel Alignment Last?
Given the state of roads in South Africa, a wheel alignment should be done once a year unless you notice any signs you need a wheel alignment or experience any problems above. With regular maintenance, your tyres will last longer, all the parts will be at their optimal performance, and fuel consumption will be reduced.
Can you throw your car out of alignment?
Yes! It’s actually a normal part of your car’s wear and tear for it to get out of alignment every once in a while, — that’s why we recommend getting your car’s alignment checked annually. This being said, there are definitely things you can do that will negatively affect your car’s alignment more quickly than normal:
- Hitting curbs
- Driving quickly over speed bumps and/or potholes
- Getting in an accident (be it a fender bender, major accident, or run-in with an unfortunate animal)
Is it Bad to Drive a Car that is Out of Alignment?
Short answer: yes, especially if you thinking wasting money is bad. Long answer: Replacing a full set of tyres is one of those expensive but necessary costs that just comes with owning a car. The typical driver tries to stretch the lifespan of those tyres to the limit and driving on misaligned wheels can shorten tyre life by thousands of kilometers. Ouch. But in addition to accelerated tyre wear, you’ll also be paying more in fuel since your kilometers per liter (KM/L) will take a big hit in a car that’s expending so much energy just to drive straight. What Are the Car Alignment Symptoms You Should Look Out For? Before you take your car into the fitment center, run a quick check down this list at home to have a detailed report to give to the Technician;
Check tyre tread depth.
Are your tyres properly inflated?
Does your car pull slightly or sharply in one direction while driving?
Does the steering wheel vibrate while driving?
Is the steering wheel “crooked” while driving?
What is the difference between wheel alignment and wheel balancing?
While your automotive technician may also inspect the balance of your wheels during a wheel alignment service, the two services are very different though they’re often confused for each other. Here’s what you need to know about how they differ and intersect.
Wheel Alignment
Simply stated, wheel alignment involves adjusting the wheels’ angles to make sure they are perpendicular to the ground at right angles and parallel to each other.
Wheel Balancing
Wheel balancing ensures that all four tyres spin without causing vibrations. This is done by using lead balancing weights to compensate for irregularities of weight between tyres. Vibrations can be caused by as much as a gram of imbalance.
How do driving conditions affect my vehicle’s wheel alignment?
Your steering wheel might signal it’s time for a wheel alignment. Bad roads can be your wheels’ worst enemy. If you drive down poorly maintained roads, drive through pot holes, or even hit a curb, your alignment can be greatly affected. This can cause even the slightest, tiniest alignment issue, which can accelerate uneven tyre wear.
How will a wheel alignment help my vehicle?
A wheel alignment ensures optimal drivability. It will help your tyres last longer, your vehicle drives smoother, ultimately keeping your wheels pointed in the right direction. And, when it drives more smoothly, it’s smooth sailing—or should we say cruising—ahead. Plus, your car will require less energy to keep going, potentially saving a ton of fuel depending on how much alignment was required.
What does tyre wear mean to my car’s alignment?
The name of the poor alignment game is uneven tyre wear. Ideally, tyres should wear evenly across the tread. If you’re noticing excessive wear on the rear inside tyres, you may have too much junk in the trunk or need an alignment adjustment. Uneven tyre wear can also result in less KM/h and more pain at the fuel pump.
Can wheel alignment improve fuel economy?
Yes. Misaligned wheels cause the tyres to drag rather than roll freely, creating rolling resistance. This forces the engine to work harder and consume more fuel. Correct alignment reduces this resistance, improving fuel efficiency.
Should I get a wheel alignment after replacing tyres?
Yes. Installing new tyres is the perfect time to perform a wheel alignment. It ensures that your new tyres wear evenly from the start and helps you get the full lifespan out of them.
Is a wheel alignment necessary after suspension work?
Absolutely. Replacing or adjusting components like tie rods, control arms, or ball joints can throw your alignment off. To ensure the suspension system functions optimally, an alignment should always follow suspension repairs.
Do I need four-wheel alignment or just front?
If your car has four-wheel independent suspension or is all-wheel drive, then four-wheel alignment is required. For vehicles with a solid rear axle, a front-end alignment may be enough — but this depends on manufacturer recommendations and the specific symptoms you’re experiencing.
What tools are used in a professional wheel alignment?
A professional alignment involves:
Wheel clamps and sensors that attach to each tyre
A precision alignment lift
A computerized alignment machine that uses camera or laser technology to measure and correct the vehicle’s alignment angles based on the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications
Integrated Marketing’s Lawrence Wheel Aligners feature advanced 3D or CCD technology and user-friendly interfaces.
What alignment angles are adjusted?
The three primary alignment angles are:
Camber: the inward or outward angle of the tyre viewed from the front
Caster: the angle of the steering axis when viewed from the side
Toe: the inward or outward angle of the tyres viewed from above
Each of these affects handling, tyre wear, and performance.
Can I visually see if my wheels are misaligned?
Sometimes, yes — especially if there is visible uneven tyre wear, or one wheel appears to stick out more than the others. However, minor misalignments often go unnoticed visually but can still cause long-term damage. That’s why annual checks are recommended even without visible signs.
Does Integrated Marketing offer after-sales support for aligners?
Yes. Integrated Marketing provides:
Training material
Instruction manuals
Video demonstrations