Car Alignment Q&A: Everything You Need To Know To Get Started

Today’s post answers the top-5 consumer questions we get about car alignments. Read on to learn more about this essential prevention maintenance service, or contact your local TIRECRAFT to speak directly with an ASE-certified expert.

1.  What Is A Car Alignment?

A car alignment is a service procedure that greatly enhances both the performance and longevity of your tires.

During the procedure, the proper setup of the suspension and steering parts are measured and adjusted to the factory-recommended settings. For service specifics, visit the TIRECRAFT Car Alignment webpage.

2.  How Often Should I Invest In A Car Alignment?

Like oil changes, wheel balancing, and tire rotations, car alignments are considered an essential part of any preventative maintenance plan.

The TIRECRAFT preventative maintenance schedule recommends booking a car alignment every 12 months or 20,000km of driving—whichever comes first! That said, no two vehicles are driven exactly alike, and more frequent car alignments may be required for those who hammer their suspension systems with off-road driving and frequent impacts with curbs, potholes, and speed bumps.

3.  How Do I Know My Car Alignment Is Off?

When your car alignment is off, it means your vehicle’s suspension and steering parts are not operating at the optimal angles. And if your vehicle’s camber or toe are off by even a few degrees, it could spell disaster for your tire tread. In fact, if the tow is off by even 1/16th of an inch, each tire on that axle will scrub almost 3.5 feet sideways for every kilometer driven—imagine how much damage that could add up to, even after a single day’s commute!

To avoid these issues, be sure to book a car alignment whenever:

• You hit a curb, pothole, bump or otherwise encounter a road hazard
• You notice tires wearing unevenly
• You were involved in a fender-bender
• You notice your vehicle drifting or pulling to one side
• Steering or suspension parts that affect the tire angles are replaced
• The steering wheel is pointing off-center when you’re traveling straight forward

4.  Will A Car Alignment Fix A Crooked Steering Wheel Or Loose Steering?

In many cases, if no other problems are diagnosed, car alignment will restore the steering wheel to the correct position. Likewise, car alignment can correct loose steering. However, because loose steering may also be caused by loose ball joints, tie rods, idler arms, racks, and pinions, as well as general wear and tear to the suspension system, which is not always the case.

5.  How Much Does A Car Alignment Cost?

Car alignments are a wise investment, often saving you money in the long run, and they typically only cost $75-100—less if you take advantage of the MyTIRECRAFT rewards program!

Book A Car Alignment Near Me: Contact TIRECRAFT

Use the Find a TIRECRAFT tool to find an ASE-certified car alignment expert in your area and get a free quote on your service.

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