A car alignment at First Class Auto is actually an elaborate process that brings the car’s suspension into its proper configuration, positioning and adjusting components so that wheels are aligned with one another and the road surface.

Our certified technicians will also take this opportunity to make sure that no suspension components are excessively worn or broken.

An alignment essentially requires squaring a car’s wheels and axles with each other so that they’re moving in the same direction. Our certified technicians adjusts the various suspension angles — known as toe, thrust, camber and caster — that influence tire movement and position. The technician will also ensure that the steering wheel is centered.

Each automotive manufacturer designates standard angles for the alignment, specified in degrees. If you’re a driver of a high-performance car or sports car, At First Class Auto we may be able to custom align your suspension to improve handling and tire performance, but such an alignment still may lead to uneven tire wear. These specialized alignment are done upon request as they are not in full ordinance to manufacturer requirements.

The type of alignment you receive will depend on your car’s suspension. A four-wheel alignment is reserved for all-wheel drive vehicles or front-wheel drive vehicles with independent or adjustable rear suspensions. In this case, both axles have to be properly aligned so that all four wheels align in a rectangle, parallel to one another and perpendicular to the ground.

If you don’t have a four-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicle, your car will likely only require a front-end alignment, in which only the front-axle components are adjusted, or a thrust-angle alignment. Thrust angle refers to the angle that a car’s rear wheels point relative to the car’s center. In such an alignment, the rear wheels and axle are realigned so as to be parallel with the front axle and perpendicular to the center line of the car.

After the alignment is complete, it’s appropriate to ask for a printout — which First Class Auto will be more than happy to provide. This shows before and after images of the suspension alignment.

Improper wheel alignment is a major cause of premature tire wear and over time a properly aligned vehicle can add thousands of miles to tire life. Avoid prematurely replacing tires due to adverse wear by performing a complete 4 wheel alignment when needed. Also, a complete 4 wheel alignment can increase gas mileage by decreasing rolling resistance and improve handling by making sure your vehicle travels straight and your steering wheel is centered.

At First Class Auto a suspension and steering visual inspection takes place in every alignment we perform, this allows worn parts to be detected before they cause further costly problems. At the end of each alignment service our customers will receive a detailed report of the “before and after” for a better understanding of the changes made.