Alignment Standards
What is the definition of Wheel Alignment?
Wheel alignment is part of standard car servicing and maintenance that consists of measuring and adjusting the angles of the wheels so that they are set to the car maker's specification.
But to what level, to what degree, to what standard does this measurement and adjustment take, in the real world?
Misconception of Wheel Alignment
In a bygone era, when the cars of their day only had a single front only toe adjustment ‘Tracking’ was invented. So it is incredible this term is so commonly used today, by the trade and motorists alike, for measuring today’s modern cars, which have multiple measurement angles and adjustment possibilities.
With the progression of time and advancements of technology the name given to the measurement of vehicle geometry has become rather a jumble of nouns; Tracking, Toe & Go, Alignment, Wheel Alignment, Two Wheel Alignment, Four Wheel Alignment.
Do the trade and motorist understand what level and quality any of these services offer just by the name? The answer is "not fully". The standard of wheel alignment servicing varies considerably nationwide.
As an industry we need to look at raising standards.
The threat of the ‘super complaint’ has made the industry move to improve standards, which is being taken seriously across the board in aftermarket and changes are happening.
Today’s clever thinking ‘wheel alignment servicing entrepreneurs’ are those who measure all four wheels that incorporates both good practice and recommendations /procedures of the car manufacturer.
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