Wheel Alignment FAQs

What Is Wheel Alignment?

Alignment is the process of adjusting your vehicle’s wheels back to specifications, by making adjustments to  the steering linkage and suspension.

They could be the specs it came from factory, or custom specs if the vehicle suspension and ride height has been modified, to improve vehicle handling and tire wear.

How Do I Know If I Need A Tire Alignment?

Some indicators of a bad wheel alignment are:

• Uneven Tread Wear
• Steering Wheel Off-Center
• Abnormal Pulling

It is even possible that your vehicle is out of alignment and you might not notice it, best way to tell its by hooking your vehicle to an alignment machine.

What If I Don’t Perform A Wheel Alignment On My Vehicle?

Most common issues caused by a vehicle out of alignment:

• Tires wearing uneven, premature wearing.
• Abnormal handling.
• Increased Fuel Consumption.
• Premature wear and tear on other steering and suspension components.

How Are Wheel Alignments Done?

1. First, your mechanic will take your vehicle for a test drive to see exactly what is going on with your vehicle.
2. Then they’ll raise your car on a hoist and examine the tires and suspension components to ensure that everything is in working order.
   Any parts that are broken or show signs of excessive wear should be replaced before the alignment process begins.
3. Next, the tire pressure is checked on all four tires and any needed adjustments are made.
4. Your vehicle will be hooked up to the alignment machine and your mechanic will begin making the adjustments to the suspension angles according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

There are four main areas that your mechanic will be adjusting: toe, camber, caster and thrust.

Should I Get An Alignment When I Get New Tires?

Yes. Your tires weren’t free, were they? (well at least for most people they weren’t), getting a wheel alignment is the best way to protect your investment, by getting the most mileage out of your tires.

When Should I Have My Wheel Alignment Checked?

• Even if you don’t have any symptoms, it would be ideal to have it check as part of preventive maintenance once a year
• If you hit a curb or a pothole
• If you noticed uneven wear on your tires
• If your vehicle pulls
• If you have a crooked steering wheel
• If you replaced any suspension or steering components
• When you buy new tires

My Vehicle Is 4WD or 4×4, Do I Need A 4 Wheel Alignment?

It depends more on the type of suspension your vehicle has, however most cars and many SUVs today are four-wheel alignable. These vehicles should get a four-wheel alignment because the rear is just as likely to be out of alignment and cause uneven tire wear as the front.

How Much Is A Wheel Alignment?

It depends on the type of vehicle, shop, location, and type of alignment. 

It could range from $99 up to $350 maybe even more, We all missed those times were alignments cost only $50 or even $40, but inflation, labor cost, and new technologies for newer vehicles have driven the price up.

A quality shop will advise in advance what type is best and what it will cost before performing the work.

How Long does A Wheel Alignment Take?

The average time for a wheel alignment is about an hour. But it would depend on the type of vehicle, type of alignment and the actual adjustments needed.

I Just Did An Alignment, But My Car Still Pulls, Why?

Even though your vehicle is whiting specs, some occasions, there are other factors that might cause your vehicle to pull:

• Tire Radial Pull
• Worn Engine or Transmission Mounts (Pull Under Acceleration)

For modern vehicles:

• Uncalibrated Electronic Power Steering
• Uncalibrated Steering Angle Sensor
• ADAS calibration

How Often Should My Vehicle Get A Wheel Alignment?

• Even if you don’t have any symptoms, it would be ideal to have it check as part of preventive maintenance once a year
• If you hit a curb or a pothole
• If you noticed uneven wear on your tires
• If your vehicle pulls
• If you have a crooked steering wheel
• If you replaced any suspension or steering components
• When you buy new tires

What Can Cause My Vehicle To Come Out Of Alignment?

Some of the common reasons why your car gets out of alignment are:

• Potholes.
• Your tires making contact with curbs.
• Steering and suspension components wear and tear.

What Are The Types Of Wheel Alignment?

There are three main types of alignments available – front-end, thrust and four-wheel. The type of suspension that your vehicle has determines what kind of alignment your car will receive. Your mechanic will be able to recommend the right alignment type for your vehicle.

Does Wheel Alignment Affect Gas Mileage?

Yes. A vehicle with proper wheel alignment have less rolling resistance. Which translates in less friction and improved gas mileage.

Is Wheel Balancing The Same As Wheel Alignment?

No, they are different repairs.

Wheel Balancing is the process of attaching weights, fractions of ounces to the wheel. This ensures the weight of the wheel is even around the entire unit. 

Wheel Alignment is the process of adjusting your vehicles suspension angles.

Does Wheel Alignment Affect Tire Wear?

Bad wheel alignment can cause excessive wear and tear on your tires. Inspecting your tires on a regular basis ensures that you catch any uneven or unusual tire wear patterns before they cause extensive damage.

Does Wheel Alignment Fix A Crooked Steering Wheel? Loose Steering?

A wheel alignment might bring the steering wheel to its original position, only if there aren’t other problems with your steering column or linkage.

If there’s excessive play on the steering wheel, there may be worn steering or suspension parts. This worn parts should be identified in the pre-alignment inspection and repair should be recommended before performing the wheel alignment.