What is the Optimal Alignment for MPG?

[R.I.D.E.]

Bought an 06 Corolla new, back to dealer at 12 k for excessive wear on both front tires on the outside (usually toe). Was told problem was due to not rotating tires (yeah right). At 19k I took it to a friend who was the service manager at another Toyota dealer, with all 4 tires worn badly on the outside now, after I checked the balance, and found I had paid dealer one for four wheel balance and they had not even removed the original weights from the rear tires when the moved them to the front, and they were out of balance by a total of over two ounces. They did balance the tires they moved to the rear.

My friend put it on their high tech alignment machine and took me there to show me the specs. Front total toe was beyond max, although individual wheels were within specs. Rear axle (solid) was out in such a way that both rear wheels were pointing somewhat to the left of where they need to be.
First he replaced the rear axle and adjusted the front toe, but the rear was still out of specs, so he had me drop the car off and took it to a frame shop to have the mounts for the axle shifted enough to get the rear axle pointed in the right direction.

This was a brand new car I bought with 6 miles on the odo, and I have some friends that have bought Toyotas that have the same symptoms as mine.

I sold the Corolla and bought a Del Sol, then found my 94 VX with less than 28k actual miles when I got it in February.

For best mileage the alignment specs should be at the minimum total toe, with camber as close to 0 as is practical (Minimum specs). Camber will be different from one side to the other in the front or the car will drift to the right on roads due to the crown in the road. Generally speraking the specs should be as close to 0 as possible (except caster) while still within specs individually and at the minimum of total spec for both sides.

regards
gary

[spotaneagle]

Originally Posted by R.I.D.E.

Bought an 06 Corolla new, back to dealer at 12 k for excessive wear on both front tires on the outside (usually toe). Was told problem was due to not rotating tires (yeah right). At 19k I took it to a friend who was the service manager at another Toyota dealer, with all 4 tires worn badly on the outside now, after I checked the balance, and found I had paid dealer one for four wheel balance and they had not even removed the original weights from the rear tires when the moved them to the front, and they were out of balance by a total of over two ounces. They did balance the tires they moved to the rear.

My friend put it on their high tech alignment machine and took me there to show me the specs. Front total toe was beyond max, although individual wheels were within specs. Rear axle (solid) was out in such a way that both rear wheels were pointing somewhat to the left of where they need to be.
First he replaced the rear axle and adjusted the front toe, but the rear was still out of specs, so he had me drop the car off and took it to a frame shop to have the mounts for the axle shifted enough to get the rear axle pointed in the right direction.

This was a brand new car I bought with 6 miles on the odo, and I have some friends that have bought Toyotas that have the same symptoms as mine.

I sold the Corolla and bought a Del Sol, then found my 94 VX with less than 28k actual miles when I got it in February.

For best mileage the alignment specs should be at the minimum total toe, with camber as close to 0 as is practical (Minimum specs). Camber will be different from one side to the other in the front or the car will drift to the right on roads due to the crown in the road. Generally speraking the specs should be as close to 0 as possible (except caster) while still within specs individually and at the minimum of total spec for both sides.

regards
gary

hahaha yea some of those new corollas look scary to drive(look like they dont handle good), and have slop suspension I think, and wretched amounts of leg room in the front, FAIL