Tracking and alignment are often used interchangeably, but they do differ. Tracking refers to adjusting the angles of your front wheels so as to maintain even tyre contact with the road surface while aligning refers to making a set of measurements and adjustments on them to achieve perfect wheel placement on an axle.
At its core, wheel alignment helps improve vehicle handling, tire life and driver safety. A misalignment may cause vibration in the steering wheel or cause your car to drift or veer off course, potentially creating safety concerns for drivers.
Understanding The Basics Of Car Tracking
With motor vehicle thefts and carjackings on the rise across the United States and locally, GPS trackers can be an invaluable way to deter these crimes and monitor driver productivity as well as vehicle diagnostics and maintenance schedules. Commercial and personal fleet owners alike can also utilize them effectively for driver productivity tracking purposes and fleet maintenance schedule management purposes.
Trackers use Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to connect to a central server through cellular networks and provide real-time tracking data that can be accessed via mobile apps and web interfaces, giving managers real-time insight into routes taken, expenses saved on fuel use and idle time cut down significantly, best and worst roads within service areas identified and the shortest routes taken always ensured.
GPS Fleet Management Systems
Cost factors that influence GPS fleet management systems vary based on various elements such as number of tracked vehicles, software features and contract terms. When selecting an auto tracking system it is important to take your budget and requirements into consideration before selecting a solution.
RAM Tracking offers various subscription plans tailored to the unique requirements of each business, with typical costs typically including an upfront setup fee and ongoing subscription charges that cover continued software use, customer support services, and data storage needs.
Some systems come equipped with additional features that affect their price, such as routing optimization, driving behavior insights and safety audits. Hardware-based tracking devices are usually less costly than phone-based solutions because they use vehicle power directly for operation and thus remain less vulnerable to being tampered with and comply with privacy laws.
Wheel Alignment
Automobile maintenance tasks of wheel tracking and wheel alignment are frequently mistaken as one in the same. While wheel tracking refers to more general, less technical processes, while alignment ensures your car maintains ideal contact with the road surface.
Modern vehicles are designed to travel on roads that may not always be perfect, requiring their suspension to compensate for surface irregularities. Wheel alignment involves assessing and adjusting these settings so your front wheels lean neither in or out at the front relative to their position on the centre line of your car and that rear wheels caster (similar to inward or outward foot position) is correct.
If a road has an extreme camber, then your front wheels may require regular alignments. To assess if they’re set to zero toe, place the tracking tool against each wheel rim lip and aim it towards its centre; any deviation suggests your steering system requires realignment.
Signs Your Car Needs Tracking Adjustment
Tracking requires some thought when discussing car care services. First and foremost, do not confuse tracking with wheel alignment – these processes are closely related but do differ slightly in their purpose and application in car service industry jargon. Tracking refers to how your front wheels angle relative to one another; alignment refers to setting them perfectly parallel.
Your tyres should be tracked so they sit evenly against the rim for an easier, smoother ride with reduced vibration, even wear, and increased safety. Check your vehicle manual to discover its recommended setting; but consider having your car tracked if fuel consumption increases without changes to driving style or vehicle load.
Be mindful that car tracking adjustments only impact the front wheels; any uneven wear on the rears could cause your steering to pull and compromise performance.
Tires
Wheels are essential to the performance and safety of any vehicle, while also playing an essential role in its fuel efficiency. Proper tire tracking reduces fuel consumption while prolonging their life, saving money that can then be put towards other repairs and maintenance needs for your car.
Improper tyre tracking can lead to premature wear on your tires and costly repairs, necessitating annual tracking by professional mechanics at local garage. They will use specialist equipment to adjust angles and directions of wheels accordingly.
As drivers drive around, their wheels can often become out of alignment through general driving. This could be caused by hitting curbs, potholes or the way a driver takes corners – yet many do not recognize they require their tyres tracking until it’s too late!
Conclusion
Tyre tracking involves monitoring the angle and direction in which a car’s front wheels sit when on the road – also known as its toe angle or setting – when driven. Manufacturers usually prescribe an ideal zero toe setting to prevent wheels from pulling towards each other or apart, which causes uneven tyre wear. As part of this process, technicians also evaluate any wear in steering or front suspension components; all should be in good condition prior to making changes to tracking settings.
