The term alignment means to position in a straight line. Relating to vehicles, alignment means to position the tires so they roll freely and evenly over the road surface. The main purpose of wheel alignment is to make the tires roll without scuffing, slipping, or dragging under all operating conditions. Correct wheel alignment is essential to vehicle safety, handling, extending tire life, and achieving maximum fuel economy.

The different types of wheel alignments are front end alignment, thrust angle alignment, and four-wheel alignment.

1. In a front end alignment, the front only is checked. This is fine in some cases, but are the front tires properly positioned in front of the rear tires?

2. With the thrust angle alignment, the wheels are squared to each other. This action will eliminate "dog tracking" that you may have seen on a vehicle that appears to be going down the road with the rear end a foot over from the front.

3. The best way to align a vehicle is a four-wheel alignment. This alignment will not only do what the thrust angle alignment does but also includes adjusting the settings on the rearofthe vehicle as well as the front.

Not all vehicles are fully adjustable, so before any alignment always consult the manufacture's service manual. Regular wheel alignments will save you as much in tire wear as they cost. It should be considered routine, preventive maintenance.