Let’s take a few minutes to discuss wheel alignment for your vehicle … what it is, why it’s important, how it’s done, and where you can go to get a wheel alignment near Dubuque, IA.   Your wheel alignment is the position of your tires relative to the vehicle’s body.  This includes their position fore and aft as well as the angle in which the tires sit relative to the vehicle’s body on all fours.

So how do you know if you do need that wheel alignment?

The first test is to see if your steering wheel is pulling to the left or the right when driving in a straight line.  One of the best stretches of road to do this on is Highway 20 just south of the University of Dubuque; it’s a flat stretch of road and they just repaved it so you’re sure to know if your vehicle is out of alignment.   The steering wheel being off center is also a very noticeable indicator that your wheel alignment is off.

If you’re feeling vibrations in the steering wheel while driving or you notice uneven tread wear on your tires, these are also indicators that your alignment is probably off.

Now if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms with your vehicle, it’s best to go ahead and contact our service department to have one of our specialists check out your car or truck and determine if you do need that wheel alignment.

So what causes your wheel alignment to be thrown off in the first place?

Over time, driving causes wear and tear so as your vehicle ages, rubber bushings throughout your suspension crack and loosen while socket and ball joints develop play with wear.  Slamming into potholes, brushing up against curbs, and bumping into those parking space barriers can all knock off your alignment.

Now wheel alignment is measured in 10ths to 100ths of degrees so it doesn’t take much to knock your vehicle out of alignment. 

So what is actually done during an alignment?

Once the technician has inspected your tires and suspension components, your vehicle is then pulled up onto a specialized machine with a specific laser and mirror system for each wheel.   That system will relay precise measurements to a computer letting the technician know your current camber, toe, and caster.  The computer also indicates where the adjustments need to be and how much adjustment is needed depending on your specific vehicle. 

So what is camber, toe, and caster?

Camber is the inward or outward angle (vertically speaking) of the wheel when viewed from the front of the vehicle.  Too much negative (inward) or positive (outward) camber is an indication of improper alignment. 

Toe is the angle at which your tires turn inward or outward.  Try to think of it by looking down at your feet and pointing your toes inward or outward.

Caster is the angle of your steering axis when viewed from the side of your vehicle.  Positive caster indicates that your axis tilts toward the driver.  And a negative caster indicates that the axis is tilted toward the front of the vehicle.  This adjustment is important for stability, a balanced steering, and the handling of your vehicle on sharp turns.

How often should you get a wheel alignment for your vehicle?

It’s best to get your wheel alignment checked yearly especially if you’re constantly driving on really rough roads and highways.  Neglecting wheel alignment can cost you more money down the road with tires and other replacement parts.

If you feel you’re possibly in need of a wheel alignment near Dubuque, then give Runde Chevrolet a call at 866-735-5200 or schedule an appointment online via our website scheduling tool.  Pat Timmerman and the rest of our service staff is here and ready to serve your needs.