FrançaisEnglishYour wheels go through a lot to get you where you need to go. Intense weather and rough roads can worsen the quality of your tires and the positioning of your wheels. To keep your car at its best, add regular wheel alignments to your maintenance routine.
Let’s go over what exactly wheel alignment is, some signs you may need one, and where to get this service done.
Despite the name, wheel alignment focuses on your car’s suspension, which can become worn or stretched out with regular use. By adjusting a vehicle’s suspension to change the angles of the wheels, you change how the tires contact the road, improving your driving experience and prolonging the life of your tires.
When you take your car in for a wheel alignment, an alignment machine is used to assess the angle of each wheel. A mechanic will then take those measurements and adjust the camber, caster, and toe of each wheel as needed.
Proper alignment will help your tires last longer, improve gas mileage, and provide a smoother ride.
Certain driving conditions and habits can take a toll on your tires. Intense winter weather, for example, can shift tires out of place if the roads aren’t clear. Tire blowouts, zooming over speed bumps, or sudden impacts, such as hitting curbs or potholes, can also cause misalignment.
If your wheels go out of alignment, your vehicle may exhibit these symptoms:
If you’re concerned your wheels have shifted, have a certified mechanic look at your vehicle—it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Aside from noticing any of the above symptoms, there are other occasions when getting your wheels aligned is recommended:
After adding a body modification
Even if none of those symptoms or events apply to you, this doesn’t mean you should avoid aligning your wheels. Like tire rotations, wheel alignments follow a schedule that you need to keep up with.
If you frequently drive on rough roads, check your wheel alignment at least once a year. For more relaxed conditions, an alignment every two or three years is usually sufficient. Your owner’s manual will provide more guidance on how often to get your wheels aligned.
Wheel alignments are sometimes confused with tire balancing, but they’re not the same. Check out this article to learn the difference.
Like most car maintenance tasks, you can get your wheels aligned at your local garage. Prices can vary, so check ahead of time to compare rates. A rough price range is between $90 to $200, depending on your vehicle type and whether you need two or four wheels aligned.
If you’re an experienced DIYer, you could align your wheels yourself. However, for all-wheel-drive vehicles, all four wheels need to be aligned simultaneously and should therefore be taken to a garage.
You can get your wheels aligned at any NAPA AUTOPRO service centre.
If your vehicle uses front-wheel drive, you may be able to align it yourself. Only attempt a DIY wheel alignment if you have a lot of experience working on your car. Otherwise, trust a professional mechanic with this task.
Do your wheel alignment outside so the tailpipe exhaust blows away from you. Follow these steps carefully:
If you have any questions about wheel alignment or finding the right tools for your next DIY job, visit a NAPA Auto Parts store to speak with an expert.
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5 Comments
My cousin has been complaining about her steering wheel vibrating. Thanks for explaining that this can be caused by a tire alignment problem. I’ll let her know so she can take her car to a professional.
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I recently noticed that it’s been getting harder to maneuver my car’s steering wheel lately, so I wanted to get that fixed before I leave for my road trip next week. I’m glad that you mentioned how properly aligned wheels are vital to improving the overall performance of the vehicle and in extending the life of the tires by reducing the chances of uneven tread wear. I’ll be sure to get an alignment service from a professional mechanic before I leave for my trip next week. https://www.beyersupremetires.com/tires-n-wheels
I liked that you said that a mechanic should look at your vehicle if you are concerned that your wheels may have shifted. This is something that I will share with my husband because his car has been making squealing sounds when on the road for the past two days. For his safety, it will be helpful for him to bring his vehicle to a wheel alignment service before this day ends. https://www.beaudeserttyrestore.com.au
Thank you for explaining that you should get an alignment done after any suspension work. We just had some the suspension redone on my car. I’ll be sure to get this checked out soon so we can keep it running optimally. https://ramirezandsonsauto.com/auto-alignment
I appreciated your advice to have a professional check out your car if you suspect that your wheels may have moved. I’ll tell my spouse about this since for the past two days, his automobile has been producing screaming noises when driving. He should take his car to a wheel alignment facility before this day is through for his safety. https://www.hogansaxle.com.au/services