Wheel Alignment
The importance of wheel alignment
Vehicles are designed with a suspension system that, when adjusted properly, orients all wheels with each
other and the road. When wheels are aligned, the vehicle’s tires all have optimal road contact and track
correctly.
Wheel alignment is the process of adjusting vehicle suspension to correct the angle of your wheels relative to
the road and each other. Alignment is important for proper steering and uniform tire tread wear. Continuing to
drive a vehicle that is overdue for an alignment can result in handling issues as well as premature and uneven
tire wear. Uneven wear shortens the lifespan of tires leading to hundreds of dollars spent on early tire
replacement costs.
Conditions that affect the need for wheel alignment
Normal road wear is not the sole cause for your vehicle to need an alignment. Vehicle age is also a factor. As
your vehicle ages, front-end parts like tie rod ends, and ball joints start to wear down. The resulting
increased tolerances between vehicle components makes it harder to hold an alignment, so your older vehicle
may need more frequent alignments than it did when it was new.
Rough roads and potholes can also knock a vehicle out of alignment, as can hitting speed bumps at higher
speeds. Popping over curbs while driving or parking is yet another frequent cause of wheel misalignment. These
sharp and sudden impacts jostle your vehicle's suspension system and shift the relative angles of the
components, so they are no longer tracking correctly with each other and the road.
If you notice your vehicle handling differently following an unusual driving event, your alignment is probably
off and needs to be adjusted. The same is true after your vehicle is involved in any type of accident or
collision, even if it was only a minor fender bender.
How to tell if your vehicle needs a wheel alignment
Monitor your vehicle's handling and performance between your standard yearly wheel alignment and any new tire
installation alignments. Developing an awareness of your vehicle’s normal can allow you to recognize symptoms
of a misalignment early so it can be corrected before causing uneven wear.
If you notice any of the following indicators, your vehicle may be misaligned:
- Premature tire wear
- Uneven tire wear
- Vehicle pulling to left or right when driving on a smooth, straight road
- Steering wheel not centered when driving straight
- Steering wheel vibrations
- Steering wheel feeling either loose or hard to turn
- Unusual tire noise
When checking your tires for abnormal wear, look for a mismatch between the front and back tires and between
the right and left. You may also notice uneven wear across the tread of a single tire. Uneven tread wear
patterns can include camber wear, diagonal wipe, feathering, or toe wear.
Put simply, if the tread of all four tires is not wearing uniformly, you likely have an alignment problem and
should make an appointment to get it checked as soon as possible. Your technician may also suggest a tire
balancing and/or rotation to help with uneven wear.
How long it takes for a wheel alignment
The average standalone wheel alignment takes an average of one hour to complete on a standard passenger
vehicle. If any wheel or tire components are damaged and need to be repaired or replaced, that will require
additional time.
Wheel alignments are often paired with other vehicle maintenance tasks like tire rotation or new tire mounting
and balancing, so this too can extend the timeframe of your wheel alignment appointment. Ask your technician
for an estimate based on your vehicle and service needs.
What is included in a wheel alignment?
When you bring your vehicle to us, we will inspect and evaluate the current alignment of your suspension then
make any necessary adjustments to bring your vehicle back into proper alignment. We will also look at other
alignment-related components, including your steering system and tires.
Our vehicle alignment appointments include:
- Suspension components inspection
- Alignment angles measurement
- Alignment angles adjustment
- Steering components inspection
- Road test evaluation
- Tire condition inspection
- Steering angle sensor reset
Maximize the life of your tires and keep your vehicle handling smoothly by scheduling an annual wheel alignment and bringing your car in for a checkup if it shows signs of misalignment. You can request your appointment online or by phone.