Two- and Four-Wheel Alignment

There are two types of alignment processes, two-wheel alignment, and four-wheel alignment. Which type your vehicle needs depends on its suspension system.

• As you have most likely, already inferred a two-wheel alignment involves a technician's correcting the position of only two wheels. Since these are the front two, the service is also known as front wheel alignment and involves adjusting the toe-in, camber, and caster, and in some cases a thrust angle if he wants to make sure that all four wheels are square with each other.
• And yes, a four-wheel alignment consists of working on all four wheels. The front wheels receive a toe-in and caster adjustment while the rear wheels receive a toe and camber adjustment. Four-wheel drive trucks and SUVs need this service.

How to Tell if Your Car Needs an Alignment Check

Any of the following are signs that your vehicle's wheels are no longer in proper alignment. 

• Uneven tire pattern wear
• The vehicle pulls sharply in either direction
• You have noticed a slight pull while driving in a straight line
• The steering wheel vibrates
• The steering wheel doesn't line up with the wheels, or in other words, appears to be off-center when you are driving in a straight direction, and vice versa.

While any or all of these usually signal misalignment, one way to make sure is to bring your Ford to Germaine Ford of Columbus where one of our factory-trained technicians will perform an alignment check, and if indeed your vehicle needs a two-wheel adjustment or a four-wheel adjustment, will go ahead and do it. You won't be the first driver to entrust your vehicle's safety to us, nor will you be the last. Germaine Ford of Columbus is part of the Germaine Auto Group - an organization that has been serving Columbus, OH car owners for over sixty-five years, as well as those of Westerville, Dublin, and Marysville.