Toe
Toe is the direction each wheel points relative to the vehicle’s longitudinal reference when viewed from above.
Toe-in and toe-out
For a wheel pair, toe-in means the leading edges point toward each other; toe-out means they point apart. Toe can be expressed as an angle or as a difference between distances measured at defined points, so values require a stated method and sign convention.
Static toe is set during alignment, but the operating value can change with suspension travel, steering, drive and brake forces, bushing deflection, tire forces, and load. Those changes may be intentionally tuned or may result from wear, damage, or incorrect ride height.
Toe affects straight-line stability, steering response, tire slip, wear, and energy loss. A total axle value also does not reveal whether both wheels are symmetrically aligned.
For the geometric and compliant changes behind dynamic toe, see Suspension Kinematics and Vehicle Dynamics.