{"organism":"Page","children":[{"organism":"Container.Raw","children":[{"organism":"Metadata","model":{"title":"Wheel alignments: How misaligned wheels cost you money","text":"\u003Cp\u003ETyre fitting mechanics often recommend wheel alignments. But what are they and how can they save you money?\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n","links":[{"name":"Why are wheel alignments important – and how can they reduce car costs?","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/wheel-alignments-how-misaligned-wheels-cost-you-money.html"}],"image":{"src":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/wheel-alignments-how-misaligned-wheels-cost-you-money/_jcr_content/root/metadata.shellimg.png/1731571190796/young-mechanic-installing-wheel-on-raised-car-in-workshop.png","alt":"Young mechanic installing wheel on raised car in workshop","width":3813,"height":2154},"date":"2024-11-18T12:49:00.000Z","tags":[{"name":"Vehicles","value":"vehicles:"},{"name":"Save well","value":"shell:business/business-customers/save-well"}]},"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/wheel-alignments-how-misaligned-wheels-cost-you-money/jcr_content/root/metadata"},{"organism":"ContentOwner","model":{},"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/wheel-alignments-how-misaligned-wheels-cost-you-money/jcr_content/root/contentowner"},{"organism":"Container.Header","children":[{"organism":"Container.Raw","ref":"https://www.shell.com.au/_jcr_content/root/header/inherited.model.json","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/wheel-alignments-how-misaligned-wheels-cost-you-money/jcr_content/root/header/inherited","model":{}},{"organism":"Breadcrumb","model":{"links":[{"name":"Home","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/"},{"name":"Shell fuels","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels.html"},{"name":"Go Well Content Hub","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub.html"},{"name":"Why are wheel alignments important – and how can they reduce car costs?","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/wheel-alignments-how-misaligned-wheels-cost-you-money.html"}]},"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/wheel-alignments-how-misaligned-wheels-cost-you-money/jcr_content/root/header/breadcrumb"}],"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/wheel-alignments-how-misaligned-wheels-cost-you-money/jcr_content/root/header","model":{}},{"organism":"Container.Main","children":[{"organism":"Container.Section","children":[{"organism":"Container.Section","children":[{"organism":"PageHeader","color":"brand1","model":{"title":"Why are wheel alignments important – and how can they reduce car costs?","text":"\u003Cp\u003ETyre fitting mechanics often recommend wheel alignments. But what are they and how can they save you money?\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n","image":{"src":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/wheel-alignments-how-misaligned-wheels-cost-you-money/_jcr_content/root/main/section/section_copy/item.shellimg.png/1731309027093/wheel-alignments-banner.png","alt":"Young mechanic installing wheel on raised car in workshop","width":3840,"height":960},"date":"2024-11-18T12:49:00.000Z"},"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/wheel-alignments-how-misaligned-wheels-cost-you-money/jcr_content/root/main/section/section_copy/item"},{"organism":"Container","children":[{"organism":"Author.Info","color":"inherited","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/wheel-alignments-how-misaligned-wheels-cost-you-money/jcr_content/root/main/section/section_copy/simple_copy_copy_cop/author_copy_copy","model":{"links":[{"name":"By Shell on November 13, 2024"}],"image":{"src":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/wheel-alignments-how-misaligned-wheels-cost-you-money/_jcr_content/root/main/section/section_copy/simple_copy_copy_cop/author_copy_copy.shellimg.png/1731305273553/shell-pecten.png","alt":"Shell Pecten","width":2500,"height":1405}}},{"organism":"PromoSimple.Text","color":"inherited","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/wheel-alignments-how-misaligned-wheels-cost-you-money/jcr_content/root/main/section/section_copy/simple_copy_copy_cop/text_1077948173_copy","model":{"text":"\u003Cp\u003ETyre fitting companies and mechanics often recommend wheel alignments. But what are they, exactly? And how can they save you money and improve your driving safety?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWhat is a wheel alignment?\u003C/b\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EA \u003Ca href=\"https://www.goodyear.eu/en_gb/consumer/learn/what-is-wheel-alignment.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Ewheel alignment\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/a\u003E involves aligning your car’s wheels – to each other, and to the body of the vehicle. To align the wheels, the car’s suspension is adjusted until the wheels line up according to the car manufacturer’s specifications.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe technician uses computerised wheel alignment technology to measure different wheel angles. The \u003Ca href=\"https://tyres.supercheapauto.com.au/guides/wheel-alignment/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Ethree primary angles\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/a\u003E are toe, camber and caster.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe toe angle measures whether the front of the wheels point towards each other (toe-in) relative to the centre of the car, or away from each other (toe-out).\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe camber angle measures the inward or outward tilt of the wheels, looking from the front of the vehicle. If the bottom of the wheel is further out than the top, it’s called negative camber. If the top is further out, it’s positive camber.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe caster angle measures the angle of the steering axis in relation to the wheel.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYour wheels’ best angles for optimal handling and braking will differ depending on your model of car.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EA wheel alignment will get these angles exactly right, and will typically cost $50-$150, depending on the vehicle.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWhat’s so bad about misaligned wheels?\u003C/b\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWith cost-of-living pressures being what they are, no one wants to spend more money than they have to. But having your wheels aligned can be a sound investment, and save you money. It ensures that your tyres wear evenly, which makes them last longer.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you see uneven wear on your tyres, this may be a sign of misaligned wheels. If the angles are wrong, tyres can wear prematurely on the inside or outside shoulders, or can experience feathering, which is when the tread ribs become worn and smooth on one side and high and sharp on the other.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMisaligned tyres also tend to drag rather than roll, which increases rolling resistance, which in turn increases fuel usage.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cb\u003EHow do misaligned wheels affect car safety?\u003C/b\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EA wheel alignment can improve your safety and driving comfort. Misaligned wheels can affect your car’s handling on corners, cause your car to wander across the road, make steering responses sluggish, reduce grip in wet conditions, and make you veer to one side when braking.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThey might also\u003Cstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https://www.mechanic.com.au/advice/everything-you-need-to-know-about-wheel-alignment\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eaffect car safety systems\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/strong\u003E, such as stability control, traction control and park assist.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cb\u003EHow do wheels get misaligned?\u003C/b\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHitting a \u003Ca href=\"https://www.mynrma.com.au/roadside-assistance/car-tyres/resources/how-do-i-know-if-i-need-a-wheel-alignment\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Epothole or gutter\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/a\u003E can be enough to misalign your wheels. They might also lose their alignment through the normal wear and tear of your suspension system.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWhen should I get a wheel alignment done?\u003C/b\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWheel alignments are generally recommended every time you change your tyres, or every 10,000km.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou should also consider a wheel alignment if you notice:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EUneven tyre wear.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ESteering issues such as the car pulling to one side of the road when driving normally or braking.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ESlow or loose steering.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe steering wheel is off-centre when you’re driving straight.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ECar costs are high enough already without your tyres wearing out quicker than they should, or your car using more fuel than it needs to. And safety should, of course, always be a top priority. So stick to the straight and narrow: a wheel alignment is money well spent.\u003C/p\u003E\n"}},{"organism":"PageTags","model":{"tags":[{"name":"Vehicles","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/tag-search.html?tag=vehicles%3A"},{"name":"Save well","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/tag-search.html?tag=shell%3Abusiness%2Fbusiness-customers%2Fsave-well"}]},"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/wheel-alignments-how-misaligned-wheels-cost-you-money/jcr_content/root/main/section/section_copy/simple_copy_copy_cop/page_tags"},{"organism":"PromoSimple.Text","color":"inherited","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/wheel-alignments-how-misaligned-wheels-cost-you-money/jcr_content/root/main/section/section_copy/simple_copy_copy_cop/text_copy_copy_copy_","model":{"text":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Csup\u003EDisclaimer\u003Cbr\u003E\n\u003C/sup\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Csup\u003EViva Energy Australia Pty Ltd (“Viva Energy”) has compiled the above article for your general information and to use as a general reference. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken by Viva Energy in compiling this article, Viva Energy does not warrant or represent that the information in the article is free from errors or omissions or is suitable for your intended use.\u003C/sup\u003E\u003C/i\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n"}}],"colspan":8,"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/wheel-alignments-how-misaligned-wheels-cost-you-money/jcr_content/root/main/section/section_copy/simple_copy_copy_cop","model":{}},{"organism":"Container","children":[{"organism":"PromoSimple.Text","color":"inherited","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/wheel-alignments-how-misaligned-wheels-cost-you-money/jcr_content/root/main/section/section_copy/simple_copy_copy_cop_672712310/text","model":{"title":"You may also be interested 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