Tire Wear

Be Aware of Tire Wear

The underbody of your vehicle is an interlinking system. Steering and Suspension life is directly related to a proper 4-wheel alignment. Your vehicle chassis components depend on it. When you see your tires being worn don't just assume that they are getting old. Tires can be a warning sign for other vehicle problems. Make sure you request a proper 4-wheel alignment inspection . . . your SAFETY depends on it.

The wheel alignment angles -- camber, caster and toe -- affect your vehicle.

STEERING If your vehicle is pulling to one side make sure you first check your tire pressure. If your tire pressure is balanced, your steering problems could be due to any of the following: an uneven tie rod length, incorrect toe, unequal camber or caster, or an incorrect center link/rack height. If you are experiencing excessive steering play or hard steering have your technician check for loose or worn struts, shocks, springs, and/or bushings.

SUSPENSION There are many components within the suspension system of your vehicle. If you are experiencing suspension problems have your technician check the tire alignment, bearings, bushings, strut rods, springs, and/ or control arms. Be sure your technician inspects all suspension components, and replaces all parts that are worn or damaged. Failure to do so may allow the problem to reoccur and cause premature failure of other suspension components.

ALIGNMENT Wheel alignment is needed for proper handling and tire wear. Proper wheel alignment keeps the wheels from scuffing, dragging, or slipping. It also reduces fuel consumption and strain on steering and suspension parts, and improves steering ability. There are three alignment angles that affect your vehicle; camber, caster, and toe.

Camber is the inward or outward tilt of the wheel at the top from a true vertical line and is measured in degrees. The purpose of this adjustment is to distribute the vehicle load nearer to the point of road contact. This makes steering easier and helps prevent excessive tire wear.

Caster is a directional control angle measured in degrees, and it is the amount that the steering axis is tilted from true vertical backward or forward as viewed from the side of the vehicle. Caster affects turning ease, straightline stability, and steering wheel returnability.

Toe is the difference between the front and rear of corresponding tires at spindle height. This is easier to understand when you compare your car's wheels to your own feet. When the fronts of the tires face in toward the car, this is called toe-in. When they face out from the car, this is called toe-out. Incorrect toe will increase tire scrub and wear.