
Wheel alignment is a critical aspect of vehicle maintenance that directly affects safety, tyre life, fuel efficiency, and overall driving comfort. Proper alignment ensures that all four wheels are set to the manufacturer’s specifications, allowing the tyres to meet the road at the correct angle and the suspension to work as designed.
What Is Wheel Alignment?
Wheel alignment refers to the adjustment of your vehicle’s suspension geometry so that all four wheels are positioned at the correct angles relative to each other and to the road surface. The key alignment angles are:
Correct alignment ensures that tyres make even contact with the road, roll straight, and distribute vehicle weight evenly.
Misaligned wheels cause tyres to scrub against the road surface instead of rolling smoothly. This leads to:
A tyre that should last 60,000 km may wear out in 15,000–20,000 km if alignment is incorrect.
Correct alignment allows:
This can extend tyre life by 30–50%, saving thousands of rands over the life of the vehicle.
Unaligned wheels cause:
In emergency situations, poor alignment can reduce control and increase accident risk.
Misalignment increases rolling resistance. The engine must work harder to overcome drag, leading to:
Correct alignment can improve fuel economy by up to 10%.
Continuous misalignment places strain on:
This accelerates wear and leads to expensive mechanical repairs.
| Misalignment Type | Resulting Tyre Damage |
|---|---|
| Negative Camber | Inside edge wear |
| Positive Camber | Outside edge wear |
| Toe-In | Feathered inner tread |
| Toe-Out | Feathered outer tread |
| Worn Suspension | Cupping / scalloping |
Recommended:
Without alignment:
Proper alignment costs far less than replacing prematurely worn tyres.
Wheel alignment is not optional maintenance—it is a critical investment in:
Driving on misaligned wheels is like dragging your tyres sideways across the road. Over time, it silently destroys tread, wastes money, and compromises safety.
For maximum tyre life and performance, always combine:
✔ Quality tyres
✔ Correct tyre pressure
✔ Regular wheel alignment
Your tyres are your only contact with the road. Keep them aligned.