Many motorists tend to disregard wheel alignment as an unnecessary maintenance step for their vehicles. Because the result of adjusting the camber and caster of your wheels can be difficult to see with a naked eye, alignments are typically ignored for many years. The reality is that proper wheel alignment influences the performance of your vehicle. From smooth steering to modern driver-assist features, you need properly aligned wheels to ensure that your vehicle is running as recommended by the manufacturer.
Modern vehicles now come with complex sensor and camera systems that rely on proper wheel alignment. For this technology to work, your wheels should remain as perpendicular as possible to the road. Here are several ways through which proper wheel alignment supports modern vehicle features.
Sensors are aligned to wheel movement
Modern vehicles are powered by multiple driver-assisting features to improve functionality. For example, automated emergency braking, self-parking, and lane-assist rely on a system of sensors installed within or adjacent to your wheels. They use wheel movement to transmit information in real-time to the steering unit and other internal systems. Your vehicle can, thereafter, make intelligent decisions regarding speed, direction and manoeuvrability.
A single misaligned wheel could potentially throw off your sensors and result in the poor or inaccurate performance of these features. Furthermore, you'll need highly accurate adjustments to the chamber and caster of your wheels so as to ensure the best performance.
Proper alignment influences vehicle safety features
Wheel alignment could also affect the safety of your vehicle. Many newer car models have integrated safety systems. This technology incorporates features from cameras, sensors, the steering wheel and tyres to help you maintain control over your vehicle. But if the wheels are out of alignment, awkward angles with the road could result in steering complications and a higher risk of accidents.
Improved vehicle safety can be achieved using automated wheel alignment. By relying on computer-based adjustments, small and exact angles can be achieved to ensure that your wheels are as perpendicular as possible to the road. This, in turn, prolongs the lifespan of your tyres and improves the performance of safety sensors.
Making infinitesimal adjustments
Speaking of automated wheel adjustments, properly aligning your wheels can be a complicated process. Sensors transmit data using exact wheel positioning and other relevant vehicle information. And because differences in angles may not be visible to the naked eye, making tiny, yet necessary adjustments can be challenging. Computerised systems can be calibrated to adjust your wheels to the precise angles that support modern safety features. In fact, whenever your wheels go significantly out of alignment, the vehicle can transmit a warning signal reminding you that a tune-up is necessary.
For more information about your wheels, reach out to a professional.
Share17 July 2020
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