What is "alignment" in tire service?

Alignment in tire service refers to the process of adjusting the angles of the tires to ensure they are correctly oriented in relation to each other and to the road. This adjustment is crucial for several reasons.

When tires are aligned properly, they can make better contact with the road surface, which enhances handling, improves fuel efficiency, and extends the life of the tires. Poor alignment can lead to uneven tire wear and can negatively impact the vehicle's overall performance, causing it to drift or pull to one side.

Thus, alignment is specifically focused on the angles of the tires (such as camber, caster, and toe) rather than the air pressure, weight distribution, or rotation of the tires. Each of these other aspects is important in tire maintenance but serves a different purpose compared to alignment.