Wheel Alignment in Doha: Everything You Need to Know to Protect Your Tyres and Your Car

If you have trouble driving your vehicle due to pulling to one side, a misaligned steering wheel or an unusual tyre wearing pattern – then wheel alignment might be the answer. While most people tend to neglect this procedure until it becomes crucial, wheel alignment is of key importance for safety and performance of your vehicle.. At IMALCO, the leading provider of auto care services in Qatar, we provide professional wheel alignment Doha. Let us explain all about wheel alignment, why it is so important, and when to perform it.

What Is Wheel Alignment?

Also known as tyre alignment, this car service refers to adjusting the wheels to make sure that they are precisely parallel to each other and perpendicular to the road. There are certain alignment angles to adjust which are determined by the manufacturer,and when they are correct, your car will be able to perform in the best way possible. 

The following three alignment angles are the most critical for technicians:

Camber describes the angle between the tire and its upright position when viewed from the front. If the tire tilts outwards, it’s known as positive camber. If the tire is tilted inwards, it means negative camber. Poor alignment of camber leads to uneven tire wear on one side of the tire.

Toe is the alignment of tires when you view them from above. In other words, it is how your feet would align when viewed from above. When the tires tilt inward, it means toe-in alignment. An outward tilt means toe-out alignment. Bad alignment of toe results in premature tire wear through scrubbing.

Caster is the angle of the steering axis when viewed from the side of the vehicle. It influences steering stability and cornering of the car. Bad alignment of caster will make your car pull to one side or be unstable during high speeds.

Importance Of Wheel Alignment Doha

There are various factors in Qatar that affect wheel alignment of cars. For instance, the hot summer weather makes roads expand and contract resulting into minor changes in road surface. Speed bumps are also common in Qatar cities like Al Waab, Al Wakra, and Al Rayyan among others, and these make wheels lose their alignment. Other factors include kerb strikes at parking sites.

There are also reasons why you should not neglect the health of your car’s alignment. Some of them include;

• Increased Tyres Life

The life of a tyre is highly reduced if the wheels have lost their alignment. If a tyre is expected to serve a car for 60,000 kilometres without losing its shape then it will barely make it half of this if there are issues with wheel alignment. This happens because tyres wear irregularly and therefore cannot serve as expected. Since expensive tyres like Hankook and Cooper are common in Qatar, you should align them as a way of saving your investment.

• Improved Fuel Economy

Wheels that are out of alignment cause your engine to burn fuel inefficiently because the engine will have to put in extra effort in pushing the car forward. Studies show that poor wheel alignment could result in up to 10% reduction in fuel efficiency.Proper wheel alignment Doha can help you save a lot on fuel.

• Safety When Driving

A poorly aligned car will not necessarily follow the path you want the car to move. In a city like Doha, driving conditions are pretty challenging due to fast-moving cars, busy streets and highways. Proper wheel alignment means that your car will react the way you want and brake and turn easily.

• Protection for Suspension and Steering System

If wheels are not aligned properly, the strain on your suspension parts will be greater than usual. For example, tie rods, ball joints, wheel bearings will be under greater pressure and their wear will increase. Repairing alignment issues promptly will save you lots of money because replacement of worn out parts is usually expensive.

Common Indicators of Car Wheels Misalignment

There are several key indicators that would make you consider  wheel alignment :

• Your car pulls either left or right after releasing the steering wheel
• Tyre wear — one side is significantly more worn out than the other or you have bald spots
• Your steering wheel is not in the centre
• There is a wobbling effect when holding the steering wheel
• Squeaking of tyres when taking turns normally
• Unstable drive of the vehicle without steering input from your side

If you experience one or a few indicators, it is high time to make an appointment at IMALCO and restore correct wheel alignment Doha.

When to Schedule Your Vehicle Alignment?

There are some rules of thumb that will help you schedule your wheel alignment procedure:

• Every 10,000 – 15,000 km or annually
• After a serious encounter with a pothole or kerb
• After any collision with another car or object
• Before installing new tyres (it is best practice to have alignment before changing tyres)
• Following a repair of the suspension or steering mechanism
• If one of the listed indicators occurs

In case you have bought new tyres from our extensive collection of top-quality brands offered by IMALCO, having your wheel alignment done along with it will prove to be a prudent decision protecting your investment from the very first day.

Wheel Alignment  Doha: What to Expect?

IMALCO offers state-of-the-art wheel alignment Doha service which involves our trained technicians using advanced computerized tools for measuring the angles of your wheel alignment. It usually lasts up to 30-60 minutes and includes the following steps:

• full alignment test including measurements of camber, toe and caster on each of your wheels
• computerized adjustment of all the angles which are not within the manufacturer’s specifications
• test drive to ensure proper performance
• service report containing all the details

Our service centers offer convenient locations all over Doha, including The Pearl, Lusail, Industrial Area, and Al Khor.

Wheel Alignment vs. Wheel Balancing

The difference between these two types of tyre servicing is often misunderstood, as they deal with related issues:

Wheel Alignment changes how the wheels and tyres are placed on the surface. This service works with the chassis and suspension of the vehicle.Wheel Balancing balances weight across the tyres and wheels of the car. When there is no balance in wheel weights, the result is vibration, especially at high speeds.Both wheel alignment and wheel balancing are offered at IMALCO, and both are necessary. If you experience vibration, it might be wheel balancing that you require. If your car tends to pull left or right, you definitely need wheel alignment. Most often, these two procedures go hand-in-hand, especially before installing new tyres.

Wheel Alignment Doha – Frequently Asked Questions