Learn more about wheel alignment: the key to ensuring driving safety and vehicle performance

In the daily use of cars, four-wheel alignment is an important maintenance item that is often mentioned but easily overlooked. It seems to be just a slight adjustment of the wheel angle, but it is directly related to driving safety, vehicle handling performance and tire service life. For every car owner, understanding the relevant knowledge of four-wheel alignment can not only help us find vehicle problems in time, but also keep the car in good running condition.

Four-wheel alignment, in simple terms, is to use professional equipment to adjust the angles of the four wheels of the vehicle to meet the parameter standards set by the original factory. These key angles mainly include the kingpin caster angle, kingpin inclination angle, front wheel camber angle and front wheel toe. The kingpin caster angle can provide the vehicle with stable straight-line driving ability. When the vehicle turns, it can generate a self-aligning torque to automatically return the steering wheel to the middle position; the kingpin inclination angle helps to reduce the force during steering and improve the ease of driving; the front wheel camber angle can make the contact area between the wheel and the ground more reasonable and reduce uneven wear of the tire; the front wheel toe can offset the adverse effects of wheel camber and ensure that the tires roll in the same direction when the vehicle is driving.

Why do we need to do four-wheel alignment? First of all, it can effectively ensure driving safety. If the wheel alignment parameters are inaccurate, the vehicle may deviate during driving, and the driver needs to hold the steering wheel firmly at all times to keep the vehicle straight, which undoubtedly increases safety hazards when driving at high speeds. Secondly, reasonable four-wheel alignment can extend the service life of the tire. When the wheel angle is abnormal, the tire will have problems such as unilateral wear and eccentric wear, which greatly shortens the service life of the tire, and frequent tire replacement will also increase the cost of using the car. In addition, accurate four-wheel alignment can also improve the vehicle's handling performance, making the steering more precise and lighter, and the driving process more stable and comfortable, especially when cornering and emergency avoidance, it can bring the driver a better control experience.

So, under what circumstances is a four-wheel alignment necessary? When the vehicle has obvious deviation, that is, the vehicle automatically deviates to one side after the hands leave the steering wheel; or when uneven wear of the tires is found, such as severe wear on one side of the tread; furthermore, after the vehicle has replaced tires or suspension system components, or after experiencing more serious bumps, collisions, or driving on roads with poor road conditions for a long time, it is recommended to conduct a four-wheel alignment inspection in a timely manner. In addition, the vehicle's four-wheel alignment parameters should be tested regularly every 10,000 to 20,000 kilometers to ensure that they are within the normal range.

The operation process of four-wheel alignment requires professional equipment and technology. First, the technician will drive the vehicle smoothly onto the work platform of the aligner to ensure that the wheel is in the correct detection position. Then, sensors are installed on each wheel, which can accurately capture the angle data of the wheel. Next, the aligner is started, and the equipment will compare and analyze the data collected by the sensor with the standard parameters set by the vehicle's original factory, and generate a detailed deviation report. Based on the data in the report, the technician adjusts the relevant adjustment bolts and other components on the vehicle's suspension system to accurately correct the wheel angle until all parameters meet the original factory standards. Finally, the data is tested again to confirm that the adjusted parameters are accurate.

There are some things to note when doing four-wheel alignment. First, you must choose a regular, professional auto repair shop or 4S shop, which has advanced alignment equipment and experienced technicians to ensure the accuracy of the alignment. Secondly, before alignment, make sure that the tire pressure of the vehicle is normal and the tire wear is in good condition, because tire problems may affect the accuracy of the alignment data. In addition, do not blindly pursue "over-alignment", just adjust the parameters to the standard range set by the original factory, over-adjustment may have a negative impact on vehicle performance.

In short, four-wheel alignment is an indispensable part of car maintenance. It plays a vital role in ensuring driving safety, extending tire life, and improving vehicle handling performance. As car owners, we should pay attention to four-wheel alignment, regularly inspect and adjust the vehicle, so that the car always maintains the best operating state and escorts our travel. As a car repair shop owner, choosing a good four-wheel alignment can improve our accuracy and efficiency, and provide protection for our car owners' travel.

The next article will tell you how to choose a four-wheel alignment in an auto repair shop.