Wheel Alignment: Is it Worth the Extra Cost?

It's a common dilemma for many car owners: you're getting new tyres fitted, and the garage suggests a wheel alignment for an additional cost. You might wonder if it's a genuinely beneficial service or just an upsell. This article aims to demystify wheel alignment, explain when it's crucial, and help you decide if it's a worthwhile investment for your vehicle, especially when coupled with new tyres.

What Exactly is Wheel Alignment?

Wheel alignment, often referred to as tracking, is the process of adjusting the angles of your wheels so they are set parallel to each other and perpendicular to the ground. These angles, known as camber, caster, and toe, are critical for ensuring your vehicle handles correctly, your tyres wear evenly, and your driving experience is smooth and safe. Think of it as ensuring your car is pointing in the right direction, literally.

Signs Your Car Needs a Wheel Alignment

Your vehicle will often give you subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) clues that its alignment is off. Paying attention to these can save you from premature tyre wear and potential handling issues. Here are some common indicators:

• Uneven Tyre Wear: This is perhaps the most telling sign. If you notice that the edges of your tyres are wearing down faster than the rest of the tread, or if you see feathering (a scalloped or wavy pattern on the tyre surface), it's a strong indication of misalignment.
• Car Pulling to One Side: If your car consistently drifts to the left or right when you're driving on a straight and level road, even when you're not actively turning the steering wheel, your alignment is likely off.
• Crooked Steering Wheel: When you're driving straight, does your steering wheel sit at an angle? If it's off-centre, it's a clear sign that your wheels are not aligned correctly.
• Vibrations or Shaking: While vibrations can be caused by other issues like unbalanced wheels, they can also be a symptom of poor alignment, especially if you feel them through the steering wheel.
• Squealing Tyres: Tyres that squeal during turns, even at moderate speeds, might be scrubbing against the road surface due to incorrect toe angles.

The Impact of New Tyres on Alignment

When you fit new tyres, especially a full set, it's an ideal time to consider a wheel alignment. Here's why:

• New Tyres are Sensitive: New tyres have a full tread depth and are more susceptible to picking up wear patterns from misaligned wheels. If your alignment is off, you could be damaging your expensive new tyres from the moment you drive off the forecourt.
• Resetting the Baseline: Fitting new tyres effectively resets the 'baseline' for your tyre wear. An alignment ensures this new baseline is correct, promoting even wear from the start.
• Suspension Changes: Even if you're just replacing tyres, the process of removing and refitting wheels can sometimes slightly alter the suspension geometry. An alignment ensures everything is back to precise specifications.
• Optimising Performance: New tyres offer optimal grip and performance. Proper alignment ensures you benefit fully from this, contributing to better handling, braking, and overall driving safety.

Understanding the Alignment Angles

To appreciate why alignment is important, it helps to understand the basic angles involved:

Camber: This is the angle of the wheel relative to the vertical axis when viewed from the front of the car. Positive camber means the top of the wheel tilts outwards, while negative camber means it tilts inwards. Incorrect camber can lead to wear on the inner or outer edges of the tyre.

Caster: This is the angle of the steering axis relative to the vertical axis when viewed from the side. It affects steering stability and how the steering wheel returns to centre after a turn. Incorrect caster can make steering feel heavy or wandering.

Toe: This is the angle of the wheels relative to each other when viewed from above. If the front edges of the wheels are closer together than the rear edges, it's 'toe-in'. If the front edges are further apart, it's 'toe-out'. Most vehicles have slight toe-in. Incorrect toe is a major cause of rapid tyre wear, making tyres 'scrub' as they roll.

Is a £30 Wheel Alignment Worth It?

Given that a set of Bridgestones can cost around £120, an additional £30 for a wheel alignment represents a 25% increase in the initial cost. However, consider the potential savings and benefits:

• Tyre Longevity: Properly aligned wheels can significantly extend the life of your tyres. If your new tyres last even 25% longer due to correct alignment, the £30 is essentially paid for itself in tyre replacement costs alone.
• Improved Fuel Efficiency: Tyres that are scrubbing due to misalignment create more rolling resistance, which can lead to slightly increased fuel consumption. Correct alignment helps optimise this.
• Enhanced Driving Experience: A car that pulls to one side or has a crooked steering wheel can be irritating and tiring to drive. Correct alignment ensures a straight, stable ride and a centred steering wheel.
• Safety: Proper alignment contributes to better steering control and stability, which are crucial for safe driving, especially in emergency manoeuvres.

In most cases, especially when fitting new tyres, the £30 for a wheel alignment is a very sensible investment. The cost of premature tyre wear can quickly outweigh the initial saving.

Can You Check Alignment Yourself?

While it's possible to perform basic checks, a precise wheel alignment requires specialised equipment found in professional garages. As one contributor mentioned, checking steering wheel centering while suspension components are stressed can give an indication, but it's not a substitute for a professional measurement.

The sentiment that a well-used vehicle develops its own optimal tracking settings as suspension parts wear is interesting. It's true that worn components can influence the 'ideal' setting for that specific vehicle's current state. However, the manufacturer's specified tolerances are designed for optimal performance and tyre wear with healthy components. When you introduce new tyres, you're essentially starting fresh, and aligning to the manufacturer's specifications is generally the best approach to ensure even wear and predictable handling.

Fitting new suspension parts (like bushes or arms) often necessitates an alignment because these new components will sit differently than their worn predecessors, altering the geometry. Similarly, new, unstressed bushes will settle over time, which is why a follow-up check after a short period might be beneficial for some vehicles, though this is usually covered by the initial alignment cost or a very small fee.

When Might You Skip Alignment?

If your current tyres show perfectly even wear, your steering wheel is centred, and the car drives straight without pulling, and you're only replacing worn tyres with the exact same type and size, you might feel confident skipping the alignment. However, even in this scenario, the subtle settling of suspension components over time means an alignment is rarely a waste of money, especially with new rubber.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How often should I get my wheel alignment checked?
It's generally recommended to have your alignment checked annually, or whenever you notice any of the signs mentioned above, after an accident, or after replacing suspension components.

Q2: Will a pothole damage my alignment?
Yes, hitting a pothole or kerb forcefully can easily knock your wheels out of alignment.

Q3: Does balancing and alignment mean the same thing?
No. Balancing ensures the weight of the tyre and wheel is distributed evenly to prevent vibrations. Alignment adjusts the angles of the wheels to ensure they are pointing correctly.

Q4: Can I just get a front-wheel alignment?
Most modern cars have adjustable front and rear wheels. A 'four-wheel alignment' is usually recommended for the most comprehensive and effective results, though some garages may offer front-only adjustments if only the front is found to be out of spec.

Conclusion

When fitting new tyres, especially for a vehicle that has been driven for some time, investing in a wheel alignment is highly advisable. For the £30 quoted, you're likely ensuring your new tyres wear evenly, your car handles correctly, and you enjoy a safer, smoother driving experience. It’s a small price to pay for the longevity of your new tyres and the overall health of your vehicle.

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