Wheel Alignment 101

Wheel Alignment is concerned with the three primary wheel angles describing how the wheel-tire assembly meets the steering components. When wheels are in alignment, they meet the steering system precisely so that opposing wheels are parallel to each other with the tire rubber meeting the road at a perfect right angle of 90 degrees. With the flat surface of the tires meeting the flat surface of the road, you can expect to have tire treads wear evenly. Conversely, when wheels are out of alignment, the tire rubber does not meet the road perfectly, and the tire treads are prone to uneven or rapid wear that can cause them to wear out prematurely. Left unattended, the worse consequence of poor wheel alignment is a tire blowout. 

Warning Signs that you need a 4-Wheel Alignment Service

Simply following the recommended maintenance interval for Wheel Alignment Service is always a good starting point. However, since Wheel Alignment is so important and some driving factors can cause wheels to get out of alignment before the maintenance interval arrives, we also recommend monitoring your vehicle for any of the warning signs of poor wheel alignment. With maximum passenger safety and vehicle reliability as the ultimate goals, monitoring your Subaru car, crossover or SUV for warning signs of poor wheel alignment will help protect the vehicle reliability and safety that you expect.

Here are a few of the most common warning signs that seem to pop up when wheels are in poor alignment:

• Uneven tire tread wear
• Rapid tire tread wear
• Bald spots or bald tire edges
• Steering wheel is crooked when driving straight
• Vehicle pulls to one side when driving straight 

4-Wheel Alignment Service at Briggs Subaru of Topeka

4-Wheel Alignment Service begins with an expert technician with extensive experience working on Subaru cars, crossovers, and SUVs just like yours. At Briggs Subaru of Topeka, we pride ourselves on understanding Subaru models inside and out. The first action of a 4-Wheel Alignment Service is to inspect the tires for signs of wear and tear that might be limiting maximum safety. Tire inflation pressure will be checked and reset to factory specifications. If you happen to have the new Subaru truck model, your ride height will be checked. The technician will then inspect the front and rear suspension components as well as the steering mechanisms. The heart of the service is then performed with computerized equipment that measures and adjusts the toe, camber, and caster. Last, a road test is performed to verify the results produce a smooth ride.