Understanding the Importance of Wheel Angles

Whilst the majority of road users will remember the usual checks; tyre pressure, tread depth, oil level, engine coolant level and windscreen fluid, few would consider the importance of having your wheel alignment checked.

Wheel alignment is the process of adjusting the different angles of your wheels as recommended by the vehicles manufacture specifications. Wheel alignment changes the angles of each wheel to ensure perfect tyre contact with the road; as well as pointing all wheels in the same direction.

In order to achieve correct wheel alignment, adjustments are made to the front toe, rear toe, thrust angle, camber and castor, not all of these alterations are necessary for all vehicles. Ensuring that all the wheels on your vehicle are in exact alignment with the road as well as pointing in the same direction.  

Why check your wheel alignment? 

Having your wheel alignment checked not only improves safety of the vehicle but, increases fuel economy. Checking regularly can extend the life of the tyre, saving you money on long term maintenance along with a few other benefits. 

Three simple ways to check if your vehicle is in need of a wheel alignment:

  1. Look at the wheels, is there uneven tread or wear to the tyres?
  2. Does the steering wheel remain straight whilst driving in a straight line?
  3. When loosely holding the steering wheel, do you feel a pull towards the left or the right?

 If you find your vehicle is experiencing any of these issues, it is best to have your car checked by a professional technician as soon as possible.

Types of alignment equipment:

Supertracker offer a range of specialist alignment equipment including: 

Supertracker aligners can be used with cars, vans and trucks as well as agricultural vehicles.