Prepare for the Automotive Service Technician Period 1 exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which two angles define the included angle in wheel alignment?

The included angle is about how the wheel’s plane sits relative to the steering axis. It’s defined by two independent tilts: Steering Axis Inclination (SAI), which describes the tilt of the steering axis from vertical in the transverse plane, and camber, which describes the tilt of the wheel itself in the vertical plane. Together, these two angles determine the angle between the steering axis and the wheel plane—the included angle. Toe and caster aren’t part of this particular relationship. Toe is about the wheels pointing inward or outward relative to each other, not how the wheel plane aligns with the steering axis. Caster is the forward/backward tilt of the steering axis, which affects steering feel and stability but, with camber, doesn’t define the included angle in the same way SAI does.

The included angle is about how the wheel’s plane sits relative to the steering axis. It’s defined by two independent tilts: Steering Axis Inclination (SAI), which describes the tilt of the steering axis from vertical in the transverse plane, and camber, which describes the tilt of the wheel itself in the vertical plane. Together, these two angles determine the angle between the steering axis and the wheel plane—the included angle.

Toe and caster aren’t part of this particular relationship. Toe is about the wheels pointing inward or outward relative to each other, not how the wheel plane aligns with the steering axis. Caster is the forward/backward tilt of the steering axis, which affects steering feel and stability but, with camber, doesn’t define the included angle in the same way SAI does.