An alignment on a car refers to the adjustment of a vehicles suspension system that connects the vehicle to its wheels. It is not an adjustment of the tires or wheels themselves, but rather the angles of the tires that affect how they make contact with the road. Proper alignment on a vehicle will result in a smoother ride, better handling, increased fuel efficiency, and longer-lasting tires. When the wheels are out of alignment, the tires are not at the correct angles and theyre pointing in different directions, causing uneven and accelerated tire wear and making the vehicle pull to the right or left. A technician checks the alignment of a car by adjusting three things: camber, the outward or inward tilt of the tires when viewed head-on; caster, a front or rear tilt when viewed from the side; and toe, which way the tires are pointed when viewed from above.

It is recommended to have a vehicles alignment checked at least once a year or if youve hit a curb or pothole recently. Signs that a car may need an alignment include uneven tire wear, the vehicle pulling to one side of the road, and the steering wheel being off-center when driving straight. If any of these signs are noticed, it is important to have the alignment checked by a licensed service technician immediately.