WHEEL ALIGNMENT IN EDMONTON

A wheel alignment adjusts the angles of your wheels back to the manufacturer’s specification so they sit correctly relative to the road and to each other. Done right, it stops uneven tire wear, keeps the car tracking straight, improves handling and saves fuel. A standard four-wheel alignment usually takes about an hour.

An alignment sets three angles back to spec. Camber is the inward or outward tilt of the wheel seen from the front. Toe is whether the wheels point slightly toward or away from each other seen from above. Caster is the steering axis angle, which affects straight-line stability and how the wheel returns to centre after a turn. When these drift out of spec, the tire is dragged sideways slightly with every kilometre you drive - which is why misalignment destroys tires so quickly.

Signs your alignment is out: the car pulls to one side on a flat, straight road; the steering wheel sits crooked while you are driving straight; tire wear is heavier on the inside or outside edge than in the middle; or the car feels loose and wandering, needing constant small corrections. A pull can also come from uneven tire pressure or a brake problem, so it is worth having it checked rather than assuming.

Edmonton is hard on alignment. Freeze-thaw cycling wrecks pavement, and spring pothole season is one of the most common ways alignment gets knocked out. Clipping a curb on an icy corner does it too. If you have taken a real jolt and the car has felt different since, get it checked rather than waiting to see how the tires wear.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS