• Alignment helps a car drive straight.luxury car - model toy car image by alma_sacra from Fotolia.com
  
  Automobile alignment specifications are important to remain in order. Alignment keeps a vehicle driving in straight directions and extends the lives of the tires. If a vehicle's alignment is off, a car can develop steering problems and tire tread can wear quickly and excessively. If you feel the steering in your vehicle favoring to the left or right, it may be time for an alignment.
  
  

Camber Specification

• The camber on a car gauges the degree of the wheel angle, according to Family Car. The angle of the camber can be seen with from the front end of the vehicle. If the tire is angled out, the camber is positive; if a tire is angled in, the camber negative. If the camber is positive or negative, a driver will notice steering problems and tires will wear out. If the camber is not corrected, it can lead to a tire blowing out or going flat. Camber should be angled at zero degrees, or perfectly straight. The camber should not be positive or negative.
  
  

Caster Specification

• The caster most affects the wheel column and steering in a vehicle. According to Family Car, the caster can be viewed from either side of the car by looking at the profile of a tire. The caster should be angled directly up and down. If the caster is angled backward, toward the trunk, the caster is positive. Alternatively, the caster is negative if it is angled toward the engine. A car will pull to the left or right if a caster is negative.
  
  

Toe Measurement Specifications

• Toe measurement determines the space between the tires. Both tires should be completely parallel with each other--with no angle at all. According to Family Car, toe-in is when the front of the tires are angled toward each other. The opposite, toe-out, is when the back ends of tires are angled toward each other. The more serious the toe-in, the faster tire tread will wear down. Vehicular toe measurements can be manipulated on both the front and rear axles.