What You Need to Know About Tire Alignment
There are several things that the everyday driver knows to monitor in their vehicle to ensure its proper functioning– fuel levels, oil levels, various other fluids, brake performance, tires and more. But one aspect that many people aren’t aware of and aren’t even sure how to monitor is wheel alignment.
What does being misaligned mean?
In general terms, alignment means that the wheels aren’t pointed directly ahead and may be slightly angled inwards or outwards. This happens through normal driving over time, which causes the toe to come out of alignment. Misaligned wheels will not be immediately observable to most people, but the effects will be noticeable with increased tire wear and noticeable drops in fuel economy.
When should I have my car checked?
It is suggested that vehicles have their alignment checked once a year or every 20,000 km. Also, immediate issues with your vehicle like uneven tread wear, your vehicle pulling to either side, the steering wheel being off center when driving straight or even vibration in the steering wheel can mean some problems need to be addressed.
What will my technician do?
Our analysis machine aims for total four-wheel alignment. The usual process is as follows:
- We correct the rear individual toe first.
- Then the steering wheel is levelled.
- And finally, the front individual toe is adjusted to the current thrust line.
The goal is to achieve a level steering wheel and set the vehicle body to move forward straight in line with all four wheels.
Where should I have my Honda aligned?
Trained technicians at Honda West provide service on Honda vehicles that are specific to the construction. For instance, whereas most vehicles have to deal with alignment on the camber, caster and toe axes, Hondas are constructed with only the toe axis. Therefore a Honda-trained technician is best able to realign your Honda within this unique process.
If it’s been a while since you had your wheels aligned, or you’ve noticed a decrease in fuel economy, make an appointment with the exceptional service centre at Honda West for a FREE alignment check!