What Is Wheel Alignment and Does Your Car Need It?
Wheel alignment is the adjustment of the angles your wheels sit at relative to each other and the road. When alignment is correct, your tyres wear evenly and the car tracks straight. Signs you need it include pulling to one side, uneven tyre wear and a steering wheel that sits off-centre.
What wheel alignment actually means
Alignment refers to three main angles: toe, camber and caster. Together they control how the tyres meet the road, how the steering self-centres and how evenly the tread wears.
Over time these angles drift out of the maker's settings, usually from kerb knocks, potholes and general wear. A laser or computerised alignment measures each angle and adjusts it back to specification so the car drives as the manufacturer intended.
Toe, camber and caster explained
Each angle does a different job. Toe is whether the wheels point slightly inwards or outwards when viewed from above, and it is the most common cause of rapid, feathered tyre wear when it is out.
Camber is the inward or outward tilt of the wheel viewed from the front; too much wears one edge of the tyre. Caster affects steering stability and self-centring. You do not need to memorise these, but it helps to know that alignment is about precise angles, not a single simple setting.
Signs your car needs alignment
Misalignment often shows up as uneven tyre wear before you feel anything through the wheel. Watch for these signs.
- The car pulls or drifts to one side on a straight, level road.
- The steering wheel sits off-centre when driving straight ahead.
- Tyres wear more on one edge than the other.
- The steering feels vague or the car wanders.
If you notice any of these, an alignment check is worthwhile.
Why alignment matters
Poor alignment scrubs the tyres against the road at a slight angle, wearing them out faster and unevenly. That means buying tyres sooner than you should, sometimes thousands of miles early.
It also increases rolling resistance, which uses more fuel, and it can make the car feel less stable and predictable. Correcting alignment protects your tyres, saves fuel and improves handling and safety, so it usually pays for itself.
What happens during an alignment check
We mount measuring equipment to the wheels and compare the actual angles against your car maker's specification. If they are out, we adjust the relevant components and recheck.
The job usually takes around half an hour, and we will show you the before-and-after figures so you can see exactly what was corrected. If you have hit a bad pothole or kerb, it is well worth having checked even if the car still seems to drive straight.
When to have it checked
There is no fixed mileage interval, but some moments are ideal for an alignment check. Have it done once a year as a matter of course, after any hard kerb or pothole strike, and whenever you fit new front tyres so they start life wearing evenly.
It is also worth a check if you have just bought a used car, as you cannot know what it has hit before. Catching misalignment early is far cheaper than replacing tyres that have been scrubbed bald on one edge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I have my wheels aligned?
There is no fixed interval, but it is worth checking alignment once a year, after hitting a significant pothole or kerb, and whenever you fit new front tyres. Catching misalignment early prevents uneven tyre wear, which saves you money on premature replacements.
Can bad alignment damage my tyres?
Yes. Misalignment makes tyres drag at a slight angle, wearing one edge far faster than the rest. You can lose thousands of miles of tyre life and end up replacing tyres early. Uneven wear on one edge is a classic sign that alignment needs checking.
Is wheel alignment the same as tracking?
Tracking is the common name for adjusting the toe angle, which is the most frequent alignment job. A full alignment also checks camber and caster. For most cars, a tracking or two-wheel alignment fixes the everyday pulling and wear problems drivers notice.
How long does wheel alignment take?
A check takes around half an hour, and if adjustment is needed, allow a little longer. We show you a printed before-and-after report of the angles so you can see exactly what was corrected. It is a quick job for something that protects expensive tyres.
Does alignment fix a steering wheel that is off-centre?
Usually, yes. An off-centre steering wheel on a straight road is a classic sign the toe is out, and a proper alignment sets it straight again. If the wheel is still off after alignment, there may be a related steering or suspension issue worth checking.
Book With Norwich Tyres & Auto Service
Need a hand from a real, independent Norwich garage? Call 07933 900901 or pop into Ber Street, NR1 3ES. Same-day tyre fitting is available on most common sizes, with free parking on site.
Hero image: “4 Wheel Computer Alignment with Muffler Man in Camo” by Steve Snodgrass (source), licensed under CC BY.