AWD Alignment Tips What To Do, Why To Do It - Garage

Camber is the inward or outward tilt of the top of the wheel when viewed from this angle. Notice the EVO's negative camber. The right amount of camber will keep the tire flat and engaged while too much will result in a loss of traction during braking and accelerating, not to mention prematurely worn tires.

There almost isn't a distinctly unique way to set up an AWD vehicle other than just stepping back and taking cues from the FWD platform - if you haven't figured it out already, most AWD vehicles are pretty similar to FWD ones. How a car is set up handling-wise can be as unique as an individual driver's style. Drivers should use this guide to help them set up their AWD cars to suit the situation and their personal preferences. Read, adjust, experiment, go faster!

Camber-Setting Guidelines (Measured In Negative Degrees)

DRIVING USE	FRONT		REAR
	EVO, DSM, WRX, STi (MacPherson strut)	GT-R (multi-link)	EVO, DSM, GT-R (multi-link)	1.5-2
AGGRESSIVE STREET DRIVER	2	1.75	1	1-1.5
WEEKEND WARRIOR	2-2.5	2-2.5	1-1.5	1.5-2
SERIOUS AUTOCROSSER	3-4.5	3-4	1.5-2	1.5-2

Camber-Setting Effects

NEGATIVE CAMBER
JUST RIGHT	TOO MUCH
- Reduced tread lift and wheel tilt	- Reduced braking traction
- Increased camber thrust	- Reduced acceleration traction
	- Increased tramlining and
	crown sensitivity
	- Excessive inside tire wear

Toe-Setting Guidelines (Measured In Inches)

DRIVING USE	FRONT		REAR
	EVO, DSM, WRX, STi	GT-R (OR REAR TORQUE BIASED AWD)	EVO, DSM, WRX, STI	GT-R (OR REAR TORQUE BIASED AWD)
AGGRESSIVE STREET DRIVER	0	1/16 in	0	1/8 in
WEEKEND WARRIOR	0-1/8 out	0	0	1/8 in
SERIOUS AUTOCROSSER	1/8-1/4 out	1/8 out	0	1/8 in

Toe-Setting Effects

FRONT TOE-OUT
JUST RIGHT	TOO MUCH
- Reduced understeer on turn-in	- Braking twitchiness
- Increased steering input response	- Straight line instability, especially
- Reduced toe-in under throttle tendency	over single-wheel bumps or split-traction
	surfaces
	- Refusal to turn, unrecoverable understeer