Alignment refers to the way your car's wheels are positioned and to the adjustment of the vehicle's front and rear suspension parts. Proper alignment ensures that your vehicle handles correctly and will help increase the life and performance of your tires.

The alignment of your vehicle can be knocked out of adjustment from daily impacts such as potholes, railroad crossings, and more severe accidents. You should have the alignment checked if:

• You know you have hit something
• You see a wear pattern developing on the shoulders of the tires
• Your steering wheel is not straight
• Your car pulls to one side
• Your steering wheel vibrates
• You notice other differences in your vehicle's handling
• When new tires are installed
• At least once every year

How Wheels Are Aligned

Alignment involves adjusting the angles of the wheels so that they are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the ground. The three main adjustments made in alignments are camber, caster, and toe.