How often are you supposed to get an alignment

Have you seen little children wearing their shoes on the wrong feet? It looks awkward and uncomfortable because their toes are pointing in the wrong direction! This is comparable to driving with wheels that are not properly aligned. Instead of the wheels of your car pointing in the same direction as the steering wheel, they are pointing in another direction.

What kind of problems will you notice if your car is out of alignment?

• Tires will wear more unevenly and faster than normal.
• Decreased fuel economy
• Easier to lose control of your car, especially in wet conditions.

Most mechanics recommend having the alignment checked about every 6,000 miles (or every other oil change depending on your service interval). But because there is no set schedule for car alignment service, how often wheel alignment should be done depends on how and where you drive. Simply hitting a curb or driving through a pothole can throw off your car alignment as much as an auto accident will do.

Having your car alignment checked and corrected on a regular basis has several benefits, such as:

• Maintains your car’s handling and safety,
• Improves fuel economy,
• Prevents damage to other vehicle components (such as shocks and axles), plus
• Extends the life of your tires.

Remember: Keep checking the tread on your tires. When you first notice uneven tire wear, schedule a car alignment service. Compared to the cost of new tires or repairing damage to the suspension system, the cost of a car alignment service is relatively inexpensive.

Wondering how often wheel alignment should be done? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about car alignment services and to schedule an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

When your tires are properly aligned, your vehicle drives straight and your ride feels smooth. But when your tire alignment is off, then your whole vehicle feels off.

Poor tire alignment causes your vehicle to veer to one side or the other, even on a straight and level road. This can cause your tires to wear out faster and affect your car’s responsiveness—ultimately putting your safety at risk!

So, when do you need a tire alignment? If you experience any veering or notice uneven wear on your tires, the answer is immediately.

Otherwise, the general rule for when you should get a tire alignment is once per year. But that doesn’t apply to every vehicle.

When might you need a tire alignment sooner?

Many situations can influence how often you should get a tire alignment. If you can answer "yes" to any of the following questions, it’s probably time to schedule a tire alignment sooner rather than later.

• Have you had new tires installed on your vehicle? This is the ideal opportunity for a tire alignment. You'll help your tires wear evenly from the get-go.
• Have you recently struck a pothole or curb? Such a shock to your car’s system can easily knock one or more tires out of alignment. Over time, a slight misalignment can cause a lot of uneven or premature tire wear.
• Do you regularly drive on poorly maintained roads with wheel ruts, cracks, and debris? Potholes aren't the only thing that can cause poor alignment. Rough travel can, too.
• Is your car considered “sporty” (along the lines of a Ford Mustang or Nissan 350Z) and does it have wider tires? Wider tires often require adjustments to multiple angles—the toe, camber, and caster—to ensure optimal tire alignment. Don’t worry about memorizing these angles, though. The seasoned pros at Tires Plus are ready to help!

Some conditions could result in less frequent tire alignments. If you don’t put many miles on your car—say, 6,000 or so in a year—you’re likely okay with a slightly broader tire alignment service time frame.

Don’t delay: align your tires today.

If you answered "yes" to any of our questions or can't remember the last time you had an alignment, schedule an appointment for an alignment check and service.

And then, relax. We're service people, not salespeople. That means you won’t have to deal with any hard sell. At your local Tires Plus, you’ll get tire alignment service, professional insight, and helpful tips from a skilled technician.

You don’t have to go off-roading to cause alignment issues. The wheels on your car or truck will get out of alignment over time. Especially with speed bumps and potholes everywhere. Over time, those misaligned tire and wheel assemblies will impact your gas mileage (MPG), cause tires to wear out faster, and reduce drivability. That’s why it’s important to get your vehicle properly aligned at least once or twice a year as part of your basic auto maintenance. Here are some reasons why alignments are necessary, what causes misalignment, and how long it takes to get your vehicle realigned at Les Schwab.

Yes, Alignments Are Necessary

Check out the article Do I Really Need an Alignment for a more in-depth look at the causes and parameters of a properly aligned vehicle. In it, you’ll learn about alignment measurements, tire angles, as well as some of the issues an out-of-alignment vehicle can cause.

What Can Affect My Vehicle’s Alignment?

Everyday driving will cause your vehicle to go out of alignment. But some of the more common alignment-altering events include speed bumps, off-roading, potholes, rubbing along curbs, and carrying loads that are too heavy for your vehicle (or leaving too much weight in your car over a long period of time, such as household items). Other things that can impact your vehicle’s alignment include worn suspension parts, as well as when your vehicle is lifted or lowered. Check out our article on when to replace your shocks and struts.

Things that could indicate you need an alignment:

Hitting Curbs and Potholes

Avoid concrete dividers in parking lots as well as potholes and other road hazards.

If you notice one or more of your tires wearing more quickly than the others, your vehicle could be out of alignment. Stop by Les Schwab and we’ll check your tires for free.

Does your vehicle drift or pull to one side? It could be time for an alignment.

If your steering wheel isn’t level when you’re driving straight, it might be a sign of a misalignment.

Anytime you buy new tires, get an alignment to prolong the life of your investment. The relatively low cost of an alignment can prevent your costly tires from wearing out too quickly.

Getting it Straight

A properly aligned vehicle handles correctly, achieves optimal fuel efficiency, and maximizes your tire life. When one of your tires is slightly out of alignment, it is essentially skidding. This makes that tire wear out faster. It’s also the reason your vehicle might pull or wander to one side. This can waste fuel, cost you money, and cause safety concerns. Plus, it can add unnecessary wear-and-tear to your car or truck.

When your vehicle needs to be realigned, the experts at Les Schwab will most often perform one of these common types of alignments. These include:

4-Wheel Alignment

This is for vehicles that have adjustment capability at all four wheels. This is common on most front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, passenger cars, SUVs, and crossover vehicles.

This is for vehicles that have an adjustment capability only available on the front axle. This includes larger trucks and SUVs with solid, rear axles.

Remember, getting your vehicle properly aligned will not put tread back on your tires. But it will help prevent further uneven tire wear. That’s why it’s vital you have your alignment checked at least once per year (twice per year is ideal). Check out our list of Alignment FAQs for some quick answers to common questions.

How Long Does an Alignment Take?

A wheel alignment service, once your vehicle is in our service bay, can take up to one hour. The time frame depends on the severity of the misalignment and whether or not your vehicle requires a thrust or four-wheel alignment. The pros at your local Les Schwab can take a look at your vehicle’s alignment and let you know if you need any repairs. If everything looks good, it won’t cost you a thing. If you do need an alignment, we’ll get the job done right and send you home with our Best Alignment Value Promise, which includes a 30-day guarantee and a warranty on all labor costs.

How many times should you get an alignment?

How do you know if your car needs an alignment?

Is an alignment really necessary?