Wheel Alignment vs Front End Alignment: Is There A Difference?

When you take your hands off the steering wheel, do you notice your vehicle veering off to the left or right? This could likely be due to your tires needing to be aligned. It is important to take care of getting an alignment done promptly. Primarily because it is unsafe to drive with misaligned tires, but it can also lengthen the lifespan of your tires.

What is a Wheel Alignment?

Before we discuss the differences between wheel alignment and front-end alignment – what is an alignment?

A Wheel alignment is the straightening of your vehicle’s wheels and suspension components so that they are back to their original factory positions. In order to align the tires, a mechanic will use a particular machine on your vehicle and match the specifications of the manufacturer to straighten it out.

At Simone Performance, we use Hunter Engineering Company’s Hawk-Eye Elite, a “High-Definition Digital Imaging Wheel Alignment” system. This exceptional alignment system uses 4 precision cameras to measure the position and orientation of the targets that are fixed on each wheel.  These targets are spring-loaded which helps reduce or eliminate rim damage.

The aligner uses this information to evaluate your car’s current alignment measurements. It then compares your car’s current alignment measurements to the car manufacturer’s alignment specifications (OEM). Custom specifications are available at the discretion of the vehicle owner and Simone Performance, particularly for high-performance, sports and modified vehicles.

Difference Between Wheel Alignment & Front-End Alignment

When you go to the mechanic, they may say you need a “wheel alignment” or a “front-end alignment”. These both require the same process; the only difference is the number of tires being aligned. Wheel alignment refers to aligning all four tires, while front end alignment involves only the front two tires being aligned.

What Can Cause a Misalignment?

Over time and depending on driving conditions, your wheels become bumped out of their original position. There are several ways a car can become misaligned. If you are driving on rough road, hit something such as a curb, or hit potholes, these can all contribute to the misalignment of your vehicle. And as a vehicle gets older, suspension parts can wear out causing excessive tire wear and safety concerns.

You can determine if you need to take your vehicle in for an alignment if your vehicle veers to the right or left when you keep your steering wheel centered. It may be hard to tell if your vehicle needs to be aligned but if you notice your steering wheel is off center while driving in a straight line, it usually indicates that one of the alignment angles is out and this can cause premature tirewear as well.   And you may notice the wear and tear on your tires growing rapidly when switching seasonal tires over – this is an indicator of your vehicle may be out of alignment.

There are No Warning Lights!

Remember, there are no warning lights that will pop up on your dash to indicator an alignment issue. The best way to ensure your car is properly aligned is by taking it to a licensed mechanic for regular checkups.

Benefits of Having Your Wheels Aligned on a Regular Basis

• Car will be safer
• Tires will last longer
• Wheels will point in the right direction, which means you can cruise without constantly correcting course
• Car will not require as much energy to keep driving, which will save you money on gas
• Vehicle will drive smoother
• Prevents tire and suspension-related issues

Sadly, there is no for sure way to tell when you need an alignment until it is checked by a mechanic. If your vehicle is out of alignment and the problem is not addressed promptly, this can lead to considerable tire damage.  We strongly recommend an alignment inspection at least once or twice a year.

If you think the alignment of your vehicle is off, let us take a look!

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Stay safe on the roads – let us take care of your vehicle! We look forward to connecting with you soon.

Vic Simone

President & Class “A” Technician

Simone Performance