Wheel Tracking or Wheel Alignment? What UK Garages Mean
Updated 14 October 2026 · Hyde Road Wheels & Tyres team
Key facts
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Same thing, one view: the RAC describes “wheel alignment, or tracking” as keeping your wheels at the right angles to help your car drive straight and reduce tyre wear. Source: RAC, www.rac.co.uk/car-care/car-repairs/wheel-alignment
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Narrower view: some garages use tracking to mean adjusting only the front wheels so they point straight ahead, with wheel alignment covering all four wheels.
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Alignment defined: adjusting the wheel angles to the manufacturer’s specifications, covering camber, caster and toe. Source: Michelin, www.michelinman.com/auto/auto-tips-and-advice/tire-maintenan
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Balancing is different: it corrects uneven weight in the tyre and wheel assembly. Source: Michelin, same page.
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Symptoms: pulling to one side, an off-centre steering wheel, and uneven tyre wear on the inside or outside edge. Source: Michelin.
What does wheel tracking mean?
Tracking is the everyday UK word for setting how the wheels point. To many drivers it means “get my steering straight”. At its narrowest it means the front wheels only. Some garages describe it as adjusting the front wheel angles so they point straight ahead.
What does wheel alignment mean?
Alignment is the wider term. Michelin defines it as adjusting the angles of the wheels to the manufacturer’s specifications. Those angles are camber (the tilt viewed from the front), caster (the steering pivot angle viewed from the side) and toe (the difference in distance between the fronts and backs of the tyres).
The RAC treats the two words as one process. Toe, in Michelin’s definition, is the difference in distance between the fronts and backs of the tyres.
Two-wheel or four-wheel?
A two-wheel job sets the front wheels. A four-wheel job measures all four and can adjust the rear where the car allows. Garages differ in which word they use for which, so the useful question is how many wheels are measured and adjusted. The answer also affects the price you are quoted.
Tracking, alignment or balancing?
Balancing is a different job from the other two.
| Tracking / alignment | Balancing | |
|---|---|---|
| What it fixes | Wheel angles | Uneven weight in the wheel and tyre |
| Typical symptom | Pulling, off-centre steering, uneven wear | Vibration at speed |
| Michelin’s summary | Controls where the tyre points and how it contacts the road | Controls how the tyre rotates once moving |
If your car vibrates at speed, read wheel balancing vs alignment.
Do new tyres need tracking?
Not always, but check. The RAC advises an alignment at the same time as new tyres or suspension components (https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/car-maintenance/wheel-alignment-cost-your-complete-guide/). If your old tyres wore on one edge, ask for the angles to be checked before new ones go on.
What do we call it in Gorton?
Customers at Hyde Road Wheels & Tyres use both words. Tracking and wheel alignment each come up more than 20 times in the topics Google lists from our reviews. We are at 270 Hyde Road, Gorton, Manchester M12 5FH. Ring 0161 274 3125, describe the symptom, and ask which wheels will be measured and whether you get a printout. Our wheel alignment service in Manchester page explains the work. Opening hours are Monday to Friday 9:00 to 17:30 and Saturday 9:00 to 16:30.
Know the term? Now the price: how much does wheel alignment cost.
Frequently asked questions
Is tracking the same as wheel alignment?
Sometimes. The RAC uses the words together. Some garages say tracking is front-only and alignment covers all four.
How do I know if I need tracking?
Look for pulling, an off-centre steering wheel, or tyre wear on one edge. Michelin lists all three.
Is wheel balancing the same as tracking?
No. Balancing corrects weight distribution so the wheel spins evenly.
How often should I check it?
Michelin calls an annual alignment check a reasonable baseline for most drivers.
Does a pothole affect tracking?
Michelin lists potholes and kerb strikes as causes of misalignment, and the RAC says pothole damage can also affect it.
Need tyres, an MOT or a repair in Gorton?
Ring the garage on 0161 274 3125 or come to 270 Hyde Road. We will tell you what the car needs before any work starts.
Hyde Road Wheels & Tyres, 270 Hyde Road, Gorton, Manchester M12 5FH. Open Mon to Fri 9:00 to 17:30, Sat 9:00 to 16:30.