Tracking or Wheel Alignment, as is sometimes known, is ones those funny motor trade phrases that is often misunderstood. What does it mean? Does your car really need it?
Simply put a car’s wheels and tyres should all point forward in exactly the same direction. Imagine drawing a box round your car with a wheel at each corner, wheel alignment equipment does just that and measures all the angles very accurately.
If one or more of the wheels points at a different angle to the others, drastically increased tyre wear can occur, fuel economy goes down and the vehicle won’t handle safely. With an average tyre now costing over £80 and fuel at an all time high, it is prudent to have your wheel alignment checked regularly. The signs are hard to spot, you may notice your tyres wearing on the inner or outer edges, see my video tips to check your tyres, or when driving in a multistorey car park you might hear the tyres screeching! The only real way to ensure it right is to have the wheel alignment checked by us, click here to book in!
Insider knowledge:
Tracking is not the same as wheel alignment! Tracking actually describes setting only the front two wheels in parallel, not all four. With modern suspension set-ups this is pointless, you must insist on full Four Wheel Alignment.
Have your alignment adjusted, not just checked. If the wheels aren’t quite aligned a technician can make adjustments to get it right. You will then see the benefits of better tyre wear and fuel economy.
Proper wheel alignment equipment suitable for use on modern cars is very costly, into tens of thousands, combined with a perfectly level vehicle lift and well trained staff great results are achieved. This doesn’t come cheaply, a main dealer will charge in excess of £120, but there are some places offering ‘wheel alignment’ for seemingly daft prices. If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is too good to be true!
Some dubious mechanics have been caught charging for alignment and not actually doing anything! If you don’t trust your mechanic, first of all think about changing garage or at least ask for a print out or view on screen of your wheel alignment figures before and after adjustment.
Wheel alignment is measured in degrees and minutes, a minute is a 60th of one degree! Think about a school protractor, a degree is about the thickness of a finger nail. So it’s pretty easy to knock out. Potholes, road debris, rough roads, curbs and even general wear and tear can all knock wheel alignment out. Unfortunately when it’s knocked out the only way to correct it is to have it re-aligned again. On the bright side wheel alignment is cheaper than tyres.
At Motor Marque we have got the very latest Wheel Alignment equipment and highly trained expert staff so we are ready to help save your tyres, your fuel and your life. Well maybe your insurance excess!
Call or book in online and save money now.