- Bridgestone
- North America
- United States
- English
- Learn
- Tire Maintenance
- What You Need to Know About Tire Alignment
- Maintaining Your Vehicle
Tire alignment, also known as wheel alignment, can help your tires perform properly and help them last longer. It can also improve handling and keep your vehicle from pulling in one direction or vibrating strangely on the road.
WHAT IS TIRE ALIGNMENT?
Alignment refers to an adjustment of a vehicle’s suspension – the system that connects a vehicle to its wheels. It is not an adjustment of the tires or wheels themselves. The key to proper alignment is adjusting the angles of the tires which affects how they make contact with the road.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED A TIRE ALIGNMENT?
There are a couple ways to tell if your car needs a tire alignment. If you've noticed one or more of these indicators, you should have your alignment checked by a licensed service technician immediately.
Uneven tread wear
Vehicle pulling to the left or right
Your steering wheel is off center when driving straight
Steering wheel vibration
CAMBER, TOE, & CASTER
When a technician checks your tire alignment, he or she is mainly concerned with three things:
1. CAMBER
This is the inward or outward angle of the tire when viewed from the front of the vehicle. Too much inward or outward tilt, also known as negative and positive camber, respectively, indicates improper alignment and will need to be adjusted. Worn bearings, ball joints, and other wheel-suspension parts may contribute to camber misalignment.
2. TOE
Distinct from camber alignment, toe alignment is the extent to which your tires turn inward or outward when viewed from above. If that’s confusing, just stand up and look down at your feet. Angle them inward toward the center of your body. When the tires on your car are angled the same way (remember, we’re thinking in terms of birds-eye-view), we call this toe-in alignment. Angle your feet outward and you have toe-out alignment. Both require adjustment.
3. CASTER
Your caster angle helps balance steering, stability, and cornering. Specifically, it’s the angle of your steering axis when viewed from the side of your vehicle. If you have positive caster, the steering axis will tilt toward the driver. Negative caster, on the other hand, means the steering axis tilts toward the front of your vehicle.
WHY TIRE ALIGNMENT MATTERS
Improper wheel or tire alignment can cause your tires to wear unevenly and prematurely. Here are some specific types of unduetread wearattributable to misalignment:
FEATHERING
Tires are “feathered” when the tread is smooth on one side and sharp on another. This is usually a sign of poor toe alignment.
CAMBER WEAR
This strain of tread wear means the inside or outside of the tread is significantly more worn than the center of the tread. As its name implies, positive or negative camber causes this type of wear.
HEEL/TOE WEAR
This happens when one side of your tread blocks wears down more quickly than the other in a circumferential direction. When you run your hand over the tread, it will look and feel like saw teeth when viewed from the side. Heel/toe wear could be a sign of under inflation and/or lack of rotation.
If you’re experiencing any of these unusual wear patterns, you should have a technician check your alignment. While tire wear prevention is a good reason to keep your wheel alignment in check, the consequences of misalignment can also play out in overall vehicle performance. A car that pulls to one side or steers erratically, for example, probably has an alignment problem.
TIRE BALANCING
Distinct from tire alignment, tire or wheel balancing refers to compensation for any weight imbalances in the tire/wheel combination and is often performed in conjunction with wheel alignment. There are two basic types of tire/wheel imbalance that need correction – static (single plane) and dynamic (dual plane).
Static balance addresses balance on only one plane – vertical movement which can cause vibration. A dynamic imbalance, on the other hand, addresses balance in two planes – vertical movement and lateral movement . Both types of imbalance require the use of a special balancing machine to help even things out.
To begin balancing your tires, a technician will mount them on the correct rims and adjust the pressure to optimal inflation. Then each tire goes on the center bore of a balancing machine. The machine spins the tire at a high speed to measure the wheel/tire combination imbalance. It signals how much weight the tech should add to balance out the tire and the areas where said weight is needed.
Tire balancing is essential for proper tire care for the same reason as wheel alignment: prevention of premature tread wear. Having tires aligned and balanced every 5,000 to 6,000 miles can help maximize their lifespan and overall performance.
OUR BEST TIRES
- All Season
- Truck
- Winter
- Summer
- Run Flat
Alenza AS ULTRA
For those looking for a luxury tire experience
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Turanza QuietTrack
80,000 miles of quiet, comfort and control*
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Dueler H/L Alenza Plus
Keep your life on a roll
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Ecopia H/L 422 PLUS
All-season tires that won't stop until they get you there
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
WeatherPeak
Confident all-weather protection
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Ecopia EP422 Plus
Drive more and fill up your tank less*
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
DriveGuard PLUS
Extended mobility PLUS improved performance through the elements
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Dueler H/L ALENZA
Built for your truck, SUV, or CUV
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Dueler H/T 684 II
Tires that take you on a thrill ride
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Potenza RE980AS PLUS
High performance driving all year long
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Potenza SPORT AS
High-performance exhilaration that doesn't wait on the forecast.
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Dueler H/T 685
Ready for heavy-duty hauls
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Turanza EV
Tire performance tailor-made for your electric vehicle
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Dueler H/P SPORT AS
Handle it all in your high performance CUV or SUV
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Duravis R238
Ready for the long haul
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Duravis M700 HD
Built to keep you and your workload going
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Duravis R500 HD
Built for the demands of commercial highway driving
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Alenza AS ULTRA
For those looking for a luxury tire experience
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Dueler H/L Alenza Plus
Keep your life on a roll
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Dueler H/L ALENZA
Built for your truck, SUV, or CUV
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Dueler A/T REVO 3
Take on the intensity of on and off road driving
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Dueler H/T 684 II
Tires that take you on a thrill ride
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Dueler H/T 685
Ready for heavy-duty hauls
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Dueler H/P SPORT AS
Handle it all in your high performance CUV or SUV
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Dueler H/P SPORT
Next level summer performance for your Sport Truck or SUV
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Duravis R238
Ready for the long haul
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Duravis M700 HD
Built to keep you and your workload going
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Duravis R500 HD
Built for the demands of commercial highway driving
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Blizzak LM005
Impressive grip and control
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Blizzak LM001
For winters worst
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Blizzak LM-32
Luxury takes on winter
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Blizzak DM-V2
Navigate through snow and ice in your SUV, CUV, or truck
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Blizzak LT
Built for blizzards and winters worst in a commerical light truck or van
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Blizzak WS90
Confident control in winter conditions
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Blizzak W965
Keep your commercial truck or van in commission all winter
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Potenza SPORT
Take control of the track
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Potenza Race
Raising the bar on pole position performance.
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Potenza RE050A
Sleek, sporty, and cornering performance
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Potenza S007A RFT
Take your sports car for a spin
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Dueler H/P SPORT
Next level summer performance for your Sport Truck or SUV
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Potenza RE-71RS
Chase your competitive spirit
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Alenza AS ULTRA
For those looking for a luxury tire experience
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Turanza QuietTrack
80,000 miles of quiet, comfort and control*
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Dueler H/L Alenza Plus
Keep your life on a roll
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Ecopia H/L 422 PLUS
All-season tires that won't stop until they get you there
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
WeatherPeak
Confident all-weather protection
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Ecopia EP422 Plus
Drive more and fill up your tank less*
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
DriveGuard PLUS
Extended mobility PLUS improved performance through the elements
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Dueler H/L ALENZA
Built for your truck, SUV, or CUV
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Dueler A/T REVO 3
Take on the intensity of on and off road driving
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Dueler H/T 684 II
Tires that take you on a thrill ride
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Potenza RE980AS PLUS
High performance driving all year long
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Potenza SPORT AS
High-performance exhilaration that doesn't wait on the forecast.
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Dueler H/T 685
Ready for heavy-duty hauls
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Turanza EV
Tire performance tailor-made for your electric vehicle
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Dueler H/P SPORT AS
Handle it all in your high performance CUV or SUV
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Potenza SPORT
Take control of the track
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Potenza Race
Raising the bar on pole position performance.
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Blizzak LM005
Impressive grip and control
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Potenza RE050A
Sleek, sporty, and cornering performance
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Potenza S007A RFT
Take your sports car for a spin
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Dueler H/P SPORT
Next level summer performance for your Sport Truck or SUV
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Blizzak LM001
For winters worst
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Potenza RE-71RS
Chase your competitive spirit
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Blizzak LM-32
Luxury takes on winter
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Duravis R238
Ready for the long haul
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Duravis M700 HD
Built to keep you and your workload going
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Blizzak DM-V2
Navigate through snow and ice in your SUV, CUV, or truck
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Blizzak LT
Built for blizzards and winters worst in a commerical light truck or van
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Duravis R500 HD
Built for the demands of commercial highway driving
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Blizzak WS90
Confident control in winter conditions
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits
Blizzak W965
Keep your commercial truck or van in commission all winter
See Tire DetailsThis Tire Fits Your VehicleSee a map of stores near you where you can buy this tire
See Tires That FitDoes Not Fit Your Vehicle
See if it FitsNot Sure If This Tire Fits