Honda Wheel Alignment in North Attleboro, MA

Properly aligned wheels are essential for safe driving and long tire life. A lot of drivers are unaware of just how easily a vehicle’s wheel alignment can be knocked out of position and how that can be detrimental to driving. A simple jolt from bumping a curb or driving over a pothole is enough to do damage, but aging suspension components will cause loss of alignment as well.

So, what exactly does it mean to have your wheels properly aligned? While it essentially concerns how the wheels make contact with the road, any necessary adjustment is made to the suspension system to which the wheels are mounted. Over time with the rigors of daily driving, the wheels will no longer face straight ahead when the steering wheel is in the neutral position, and a service visit for a Honda wheel alignment will be required to correct the situation.

What is the Alignment Procedure?

While the Honda service technicians are performing your wheel alignment, they will check the camber, toe, and caster positions. The camber refers to the inward or outward angle of a wheel as it’s viewed from the front. If the wheel is turned too far inward (referred to as negative) or outward (referred to as positive), its position will need to be adjusted. For the toe alignment, the inward or outward alignment of both front tires will be checked, but this time as the technician looks down from above the vehicle instead of from the front. An angle that’s too far inward is called toe-in, and when it’s too far outward it’s called toe-out. Last, proper caster alignment is the key to maintaining steering and stability. When the technician checks the steering axis from the side, he can tell whether the caster is positive (tilted toward the driver) or negative (tilted toward the front of the vehicle).

Signs of Poor Alignment

Carefully let go of the steering wheel as you’re driving straight ahead. If it pulls either left or right, the wheel alignment is off and attention is needed. Whenever the wheels are misaligned, the steering precision will be reduced. This can have a negative impact on your tires and their tread by causing premature wear on the tire edges. Left unchecked, this kind of neglect can lead to a tire blowout or dangerous loss of steering control.

Honda Alignment Service

You should have your alignment checked at least once a year (or even every six months, depending on the average severity of your driving). When it’s time for your alignment service, a certified Honda service center is your best bet to get the manufacturer’s stringent quality standards. You want to be sure your vehicle receives the proper care and attention from a professional who understands its mechanical needs because he works on Hondas every day. And when you regularly visit the same service team, they’ll get to know you and your vehicle, leading to the most satisfying service quality possible.