How to align your car

Aligning your car is an essential aspect of maintaining your vehicle’s health and performance. When your car’s wheels are not correctly aligned, it can lead to uneven tyre wear, decreased fuel efficiency and poor handling. Therefore, it is essential to know how to align your car correctly to prevent these problems from arising. In this article, AutoZone will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to align your car.

Step 1: Check the tyre pressure

Before you start the alignment process, ensure your tyres have the correct pressure. Low tyre pressure can affect your car’s alignment, resulting in uneven tyre wear. Check your tyre pressure using a tyre pressure gauge and inflate if necessary.

Step 2: Measure the current alignment

In order to correctly align your car, you need to know how much adjustment is needed. You can use a laser alignment tool or take your car to a mechanic to measure its current alignment. Mechanics will be able to make use of specialised machinery to measure the exact alignment angles in order to determine the required adjustments.

Step 3: Adjust the caster

The caster refers to the angle between the steering axis and the vertical axis of your car’s wheels. A positive caster angle helps stabilise your car at high speeds, while a negative caster angle improves steering response. Caster angles can be adjusted using either the upper or lower control arms or by using brake shims.

Step 4: Adjust the camber

The camber angle refers to the angle between the wheel’s vertical axis and the ground when viewed from the front or rear of your car. An excessive camber angle can cause uneven tyre wear, while a negative camber angle can affect your car’s handling. You can adjust the camber angle by using a camber gauge and adjusting the upper or lower control arms.

Step 5: Adjust the toe

The toe angle is the angle between the front of the tyres and the back of the tyres when viewed from above. An incorrect toe angle can cause your tyres to scrub or drag against the road, resulting in uneven tyre wear. The toe angle can be adjusted using a toe gauge and adjusting the tie rods.

Step 6: Test drive your car

After adjusting the alignment angles, take your car for a test drive to check the handling and steering response. You should also monitor the tyre wear to ensure they wear evenly.

Congratulations, by following the above-mentioned steps you have correctly aligned your car! Don’t forget to visit your nearest AutoZone store for all the tools required for this task – https://bit.ly/2NgaKZn 

INDEMNITY: These hints and tips are for information purposes only. For more details please consult the relevant workshop manual for your vehicle. Neither Auto Parts Distributors Pty (Ltd) nor any of the AutoZone outlets will be held liable for any damage or injury whatsoever resulting from the use of the information contained in this pamphlet.