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164_P-13; An Experimental Study on Front Toe-in Angles and its Affect on
Fuel Consumption for a Light Vehicle
Conference Paper · December 2021
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International Conference on Mechanical Engineering and Renewable Energy 2021
(ICMERE2021) 12 – 14 December, 2021, Chattogram, Bangladesh
ICMERE 2021-PI-033
An Experimental Study on Front Toe-in Angles and its Affect on Fuel Consumption for a
Light Vehicle
Riton Kumer Das, Md. Abu Mowazzem Hossain*, Md. Tazul Islam and Sajal Chandra Banik
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, Chattogram-4349, Bangladesh
rkdas2608@gmail.com, mowazzem@cuet.ac.bd*, tazul2003@yahoo.com and baniksajal@cuet.ac.bd
Abstract-In this study, the fuel efficiency of a light vehicle (TOYOTA COROLLA- 2E-86 model) has been
analyzed to find the changes in fuel consumption by changing the front toe-in angle of the car. A computerized
wheel alignment machine (Best5800) has been used in the test to measure the wheel misalignment of the car. It
was revealed that the fuel consumption of the car depends on the wheel alignment. By changing the different front
toe-in angle (left & right) corresponding fuel consumption was measured for 10 km of car travel. It was found
that due to misalignment of front toe-in angle (from 0.00ᵒ to 2.43ᵒ), the car was traveling 2 km less for the same
amount of fuel. It was also seen that the fuel consumption rate increased up to 39.78% due to change the
misalignment of front toe-in angle from 0.00ᵒ to 2.43ᵒ. The changes fuel consumption rate was linearly increased
for toe-in angle 0.00ᵒ to 1.50ᵒ whereas it was increased nonlinearly for angle 1.60ᵒ to 2.43ᵒ. The Pearson’s
correlation coefficient was found as rxy = 0.97; which proves a very strong positive correlation between fuel
consumption and front toe-in angle. Finally, it was recommended that proper wheel alignment of the vehicle has
to be maintained to improve fuel consumption.
Keywords: Wheel alignment pit, Wheel alignment machine, Fuel performance, Front toe-in angles, Light
vehicle.
1. INTRODUCTION
Wheel alignment is one of the most important aspects
of regular vehicle maintenance. Also, the suspension and
steering system plays a crucial role in the vehicle’s active
safety system. Incorrect wheel alignment results in
excessive or irregular tire wear, hard steering, premature
failure of suspension parts, increased fuel consumption
and increased propensity for vehicle accidents. On the
other hand, the correct positioning of the vehicle wheel
alignment can significantly improve the longevity of the
life of steering and suspension components as well as the
vehicle’s tires [1]. In recent decades, vehicle travel has
increased exponentially with technological change, but at
the same time, the stability and safety of vehicle travel
have declined. Several research studies have also shown
that most of road accidents are due to improper adjustment
of the wheels and improper movement of the steering
turning position [1-2].
The method of measuring wheel alignment is an
important issue that has been widely used in vehicle
maintenance programs. In this regard, modern passenger
vehicles have introduced a variety of wheel alignment
technologies in need of protection and through these
strategies tire life and fuel efficiency were increased. The
wheel alignment, active safety system function can be
easily measured by an infrared (IR) sensor [1-4]. A
computerized wheel alignment machine was used to
measure the correct wheel alignment of heavy and light
vehicles [3-6]. The system used a simple circuit that
facilitates easy transfer of data in the process with low cost
and high resolution, reliability and which provide better
results than conventional systems [2-4]. In recent years,
machine vision has been widely used to accurately
identify the features of wheels [5,7]. By adjusting the
wheel characteristic angles of the vehicle through the
computation vision technique can significantly improve
fuel efficiency, tire lifespan and driving comfort [8].
Among the various wheel alignment parameters, the
toe-in and camber on both front and rear wheels are two
important parameters that affect the vehicle’s tire abrasion,
driving and braking stability and shimmy front wheel.
Noted that the reasonable matching calculation between
toe-in and camber has always been a problem in the
design of vehicle four-wheel alignment parameters [9].
Wei [10] experimentally investigated that the cornering
property is one of the key factors influencing the
matching accuracy between toe-in and camber. Karanja
[11] reported that the rolling resistance of the camber and
toe angle has a negative effect on vehicle power
efficiency. Their results also reveal that negative camber
angle gives better stability in the car when cornering and
that toe in gives better stability in straight- line driving. It
is worth noting that conventional four-wheel alignment
measuring techniques have always posed a variety of
problems, such as the complex calibration, multiple
sensors, fussy operation, low speed inspection, and low
accuracy, which cannot meet the need of fast inspection
in vehicle detection line, because of their limitations of
inspection principle [11-13]. However, a computer vision
theory from Dechao [12] can be successfully applied to
Page 1 of 5
measure the alignment parameters of the vehicle's four
wheels.
With an increasing focus on global warming,
automobile fuel consumption is a major concern these
days. The fuel economy of an automotive vehicle does not
depend on one factor, but rather on several factors,
including engine performance, tire pressure, tire wear,
suspension conditions, load condition, temperature,
humidity, wheel angles, etc. Although numerous
researches have been undertaken to improve the fuel
performance of an automotive vehicle [14-16].
In the present study, the fuel efficiency of a light
vehicle (TOYOTA COROLLA- 2E-86 model) has been
analyzed to find the changes in fuel consumption by
changing the front toe-in angle of the car.
2. EFFECTS OF WHEEL ALIGNMENT
FUNCTION
The method by which the wheels of a vehicle are
adjusted is called the wheel alignment process. Patel [17]
states that the wheel alignment process can be classified
into three major types: Front-end, thrust and four-wheel
on the basis of suspension geometry and design. Each of
these can be further classified into a Mechanical wheel
alignment system and a computerized wheel alignment
system based on the application. Thus, the wheel
alignment function/vehicle active safety system is related
to the caster angle, camber angle, and toe angle, etc.
respectively which are shown in Figs. 1-3.
a)
b)
Fig. 2: a) Positive camber and b) Negative camber [17].
Toe angles: The wheel angle relative to the centerline of
the car when viewed from the top of the vehicle is
referred to as toe angle. The toe angle affects directional
control, turning response, tire tread life and fuel
performance of the vehicle. It can be classified into two
types as shown in Fig. 3: Toe -in (wheels point slightly
towards the inside) and toe-out (wheels point slightly
towards the outside).
Caster angles: It is the angle made by steering pivot and
measured as a line between upper and lower pivot points.
It can be classified into two types as shown in Fig. 1:
Positive caster (angled towards the back of the car) and
negative caster (angled towards the front of the car).
Fig. 3: Toe-in and Toe-out [18].
(a)
(b)
Fig. 1: a) Positive caster and b) Negative caster [17].
Camber angles: The angle of the wheels viewed from
the front of the car and measured with the tilt of the tire.
It can be classified into two types as shown in Fig. 2:
Positive camber (top of the tire lean away from the car
and negative camber (top of the tire lean towards the
vehicle)
If the above wheel alignment functions are changed then
increases fuel consumption and tire wear, and decreases
suspension components life and also increases the risk of
accidents [17]. There are not much researches have been
initiated related to fuel performance based on wheel
alignment.
In the present study, a computerized machine visionbased wheel alignment measuring system is used and the
fuel performance of the TOYOTA COROLLA- 2E-86
model light vehicle is investigated based on front toe-in
angles.
3. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
The characteristic angles of the wheel are related to the
alignment of the wheel and it is perpendicular to the
surface and parallel to others. Wheel alignment functions
Page 2 of 5
are related to the caster, camber, toe and kingpin
inclination, steering system, respectively. The
experimental setup has been carefully carried out in such
a way that the vehicle is on a level surface and must not
have any slack or damage to the steering and suspension
systems.
Fig. 4 shows the experimental setup for the wheel
alignment system. An E-Modern (Best-5800)
computerized wheel alignment machine was used in this
experimental setup and the open end wrench uses tie rod
and pushrod function was adjusted for front toe angle
adjustment and the measured data was stored in a
computer memory drive. The correct measurement of the
wheel alignment was carried out in accordance with a
specific conditions such as: vehicle particulars,
suspension condition, engine cylinder performance, and
other alignment conditions as given below.
Vehicle Particulars:
Vehicle Model: TOYOTA COROLLA-2E-86
Engine displacement: 1300 cc
Tire Size: 165/80R13
Vehicle weight: 830kgα
Non air condition
Manual transmission
Gear position: 2
Suspension Conditions:
LH FRONT Suspension Weight: 1.43kN
Adherence: 50%,
RH FRONT Suspension Weight: 1.53kN
Adherence: 45%,
LH REAR Suspension Weight: 1.24kN
Adherence: 42%,
RH REAR Suspension Weight: 1.34kN
Adherence: 19%,
Engine Cylinder Performance Conditions:
Cylinder-1 = 78.84%
Cylinder-2 = 79.37%
Cylinder-3 = 79.37%
Cylinder-4 = 77.78%
Alignment Conditions:
Caster angle (Left) = 0.12°
Caster angle (Right) = 0.10°
Camber angle (Left) =0.17°
Camber angle (Right) = -0.25°
Front tire pressure = 35 psi,Rear tire pressure = 32 psi
Speed = 40 km/hr, Travelling distance = 10km
Driver and one passenger weight = 125kg
At first, the light car is put on the alignment pit and the
alignment turntable locks are opened, then the sensor
connection boards are attached to the four wheels and
connected the cables to the wheel alignment machine,
and loading the car data into the wheel alignment
machine and the brake pedal lever is attached. Then the
steering wheel is turned and set the adjusting position of
the wheel and attaching the steering handle holder.
Finally, the wheel alignment condition of the car is
checked and images were taken by adjusting the front toe
angle.
4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Table-1 shows the experimental test result of fuel
performance at different front toe-in angles (left & right)
for the light vehicle TOYOTA COROLLA-2E-86. The
results of this experimental study showed that the fuel
consumption was increased as the misalignment (front
toe-in) of the car increased as illustrated in Fig. 5(a).
From this graph it was also seen that front toe-in angle 0ᵒ
to 0.35ᵒ, the fuel consumption is increased linearly, and
for 2.00ᵒ to 2.43ᵒ, the fuel consumption was increased
nonlinearly.
From Fig. 5(b), it was found that when the front toe-in
angle of the car is 0ᵒ the car travels 7.30 km per liter
(km/l) while the increase of misalignment (front toe-in
angle) the traveling distance (km/l) was decreased,
however at the angle, 2.43ᵒ it runs only 5.22 km/l. It
means that due to misalignment of front toe-in angle
(from 0.00ᵒ to 2.43ᵒ), the car travel was 2 km less for the
same amount of fuel.
Fig. 5(c) shows the changes in fuel consumption rate
with the misalignment of the front toe-in angle. Similar
results were observed. For toe-in angle 0ᵒ to 1.50ᵒ it was
shown linear increment whereas; for angle 1.60ᵒ to 2.43ᵒ,
it was increased nonlinearly. It is found that the front
toe-in angle changes from 0ᵒ to 2.43ᵒ of the car and the
fuel consumption rate was changed up to 39.78%.
The experimental result has been verified by the
Pearson’s correlation coefficient, 𝒓𝒙𝒚
𝒓𝒙𝒚 =
∑𝒏𝒊=𝟏(𝒙𝒊 − 𝒙
̅) (𝒚𝒋 − 𝒚
̅)
𝟐
√∑𝒏𝒊=𝟏(𝒙𝒊 − 𝒙
̅)𝟐 ∑𝒏𝒊=𝟏(𝒚𝒋 − 𝒚
̅)
Fig. 4: Experimental setup of vehicle wheel alignment
system with wheel alignment machine(Best-5800).
The correlation coefficient (rxy) is found 0.97 (as shown
in Table-1), which is within the range 0.75<.rxy< 1. It
proved a very strong positive correlation between front
toe-in angle and fuel consumption of the light vehicle
Page 3 of 5
[19]. In the above experimental study, it was observed
that fuel consumption of the light vehicle increases with
the increase of front toe-in angle (misalignment).
0.05
1385
7.22
1.09
0.20
1403
7.13
2.41
0.35
1421
7.04
3.72
0.50
1440
6.94
5.11
0.65
1460
6.85
6.57
0.80
1478
6.76
7.88
0.95
1498
6.67
9.34
1.10
1521
6.57
11.02
6.46
12.85
6.36
14.74
1.25
1546
7
Travelling Distance (km/L)
0.00
7.5
6.5
6
y = -0.77x + 7.3501
R² = 0.9779
5.5
5
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
Front Toe -in angle left & right (deg)
(b)
45
0.97
Fuel Consumption Rate (%)
7.30
1577.631579
1370
1.24
0.00
Correlation
Coefficient (rxy)
Fuel Consumption
Rate (%)
𝐹 − 𝐹𝑚𝑖𝑛
× 100
𝐹𝑚𝑖𝑛
Travelling
Distance(km/L)
𝑦̅
Front Toe-in
angle left & right
(deg) xi
𝑥̅
Fuel Consumption
(ml) yj
Table 1: Wheel alignment (front toe-in angles) and fuel
performance of a TOYOTA COROLLA-2E-86 light
vehicle. Weather temperature: 20.90ᵒc to 26.40ᵒc,
humidity: 50% to 79% and no. of test run, n=19.
(a)
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
y = 14.179x - 2.397
R² = 0.9424
5
1.40
1572
1.55
1600
6.25
16.79
1.70
1628
6.14
18.83
1.84
1661
6.02
21.24
(c)
2.00
1697
5.89
23.87
2.14
1740
5.74
27.01
Fig. 5: Variation of (a) fuel consumption, (b) travelling
distance (Km/L), and (c) fuel consumption rate with
respect to front toe-in angle (left & right).
2.25
1791
5.58
30.73
2.36
1849
5.40
34.96
2.43
1915
5.22
39.78
0
0
Fuel Consumption (ml)
1750
1650
1550
y = 194.24x + 1337.2
R² = 0.9424
1350
0.5
1
1.5
2
1.5
2
2.5
4. CONCLUSION
The following conclusion can be drawn from the
experimental results of a light vehicle (TOYOTA
COROLLA-2E-86) based on wheel alignment (front
toe-in angle) and corresponding fuel performance status:
1. It was found that due to misalignment of front toe-in
angle (from 0.00ᵒ to 2.43ᵒ), the car travel is 2 km less
for the same amount of fuel.
2. It was also found that for toe-in angle 0ᵒ to 1.50ᵒ the
changes in fuel consumption rate increased linearly
whereas for angle 1.60ᵒ to 2.43ᵒ it was increased
nonlinearly and the fuel consumption rate was
changed up to 39.78%. Finally, it was observed that
the rate of change of fuel depends on the
misalignment (front toe-in angle variation) of the
car.
1850
0
1
Front Toe-in angle left & right (deg)
1950
1450
0.5
2.5
Front Toe-in angle left & right (deg)
3
Page 4 of 5
3.
The Pearson’s correlation coefficient (rxy) was found
0.97 (in the range 0.75<rxy<1) which claimed a very
strong positive correlation between front toe-in
angle and fuel consumption.
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6. NOMENCLATURE
xi = Values of the front toe-in angle (deg.)
𝑥̅ = Mean of the values of the front toe-in angle (deg.)
yj = Values of the fuel consumption(ml)
𝑦̅ = Mean of the values of the Fuel consumption (ml)
rxy = Correlation coefficient(dimensionless)
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