One of the more common maintenance procedures for vehicle owners is a wheel alignment. While wheel alignments most often happen when you get a new set of tires, you should pay attention to this type of maintenance, because, if your wheels are not aligned, it can cause unnecessary wear and tear on your vehicle, and can reduce the lifespan of your tires.
So, if you have noticed that your vehicle tires are wearing unevenly, or if you notice that your car pulls to the left or right while you are driving with the wheel straight – just like a bad shopping cart at the grocery store – then you likely need to book an appointment for a wheel alignment – or you could try to do this at home.
If you are mechanically inclined, or like to do your own car service work, it is possible to do your own wheel alignment at home. Quite often, this is done with the aid of a laser guided alignment system, and requires some fairly specific measurements and adjustment to the tie rods. It’s a somewhat technical task, and if you truly want professional results, it is best to take your vehicle to a licensed mechanic.
What is a wheel alignment?
A wheel alignment is a common mechanical procedure, most often done at car repair facility, where the mechanic adjusts the angles of the wheels to the car manufacturer’s recommendations. Most often, wheel alignments are done to increase tire longevity and wear – as an aligned car puts even pressure on tire treads – and it also helps ensure that your vehicle is travelling straight. Sometimes the procedure is referred to as “breaking” or “tracking”.
How to do a wheel alignment?
If you are set on doing your own wheel alignment (and of course, you can watch several instructional videos on the internet), then the steps are as follows:
- Park your car on a flat surface with the wheels pointed straight (and the steering wheel is straight).
- Draw a line on the pavement that exactly marks each wheel’s centre – just behind the front wheels and in front of the back wheels.
- Draw a straight line from these two points. If they don’t line up, then you have an alignment issue.
- Adjust the tie rods on your tires to align the tires – this may take several adjustments.
- Or – take your car to a licensed mechanic and let them do the work while you relax!
Importance of tire alignment
Getting a tire alignment done as a regular part of your vehicle service is important. When your tires are aligned, you will get better wear and longer life from your tires, your car will travel better, and you will have a more comfortable ride. If you don’t get regular alignments – which you only need every 2-3 years – then you may experience early tire wear and problems, and you may find that your car is pulling to the left or right – possibly creating an unsafe or just irritating driving situation.
You might be wondering: I got new tires, do I need an alignment?
New tires can be a significant investment and as a new tire owner, it’s best to take proper care of them so that they last. When you buy new tires, most larger repair operations will offer an alignment as part of the service when you get new tires installed. It’s worth the few extra dollars, because a properly aligned wheel means that the tread will wear more evenly, and your ride will be smoother. So, if you have recently bought new tires, from blackcircles.ca or another tire seller, then it’s recommended that you also get an alignment at the same time.
How long does a wheel alignment take?
In most cases, a wheel alignment is not a lengthy procedure, and if it is being done at a car repair shop, it should take approximately an hour. However, if your mechanic is performing other procedures, such as installing new tires, or other tire repair services, then of course, it will take a bit longer.
How do you know if you need tire alignment?
There are several easy-to-notice signs that mean you need to get a wheel alignment. They are:
- When you are travelling on a straight road and your steering wheel is straight but your car is noticeably pulling to the left or to the right.
- You are driving on a straight road and if you safely let go of your steering wheel for a few seconds, you see it moving to the left or the right.
- You have noticed uneven tire wear on your tires – such as cupping or wear along the inside edge of the tire.
- When driving, you feel as though the steering wheel’s connection to your steering is a bit loose or wobbly.
All of these signs point to the high probability that your vehicle needs a wheel alignment.
How often should you get your tires aligned?
The good news is, unless you notice signs that your wheels are not aligned – such as a pulling to the left or right, or uneven tire wear – you only need to get your tires aligned every 2-3 years. Of course, if you do a lot of driving and are wearing out your tires more often than that, then you should get a wheel alignment every time you have a new set of tires installed.
And, if you are the kind of driver that switches your tires throughout the year depending on the season, you may want to have an alignment done before you install your summer or winter tires, for example.
How much does a tire alignment cost on average?
On average, the cost of a wheel alignment can run about $100-$150 dollars, depending on where you take your vehicle, and, of course, whether additional repairs are needed as part of the alignment. It’s important to note that the cost of driving with bad alignment can be expensive – given that you could damage your axle and tie rods, and not to mention wear out your tires that much more quickly.
So, as you can see, it is important to pay attention to your wheel alignment, especially if you can’t remember the last time you had this service completed. And, to ensure your investment is worthwhile, an alignment is necessary for new tires, and is often part of the new tire installation package.
Of course, if you have questions about your tires and whether they are wearing properly, or you are looking for a new set of tires for your vehicle and are online looking for the best selection and pricing in Canada, then feel free to reach out to the tire experts at blackcircles.ca. Our team is experienced in helping Canadians get exactly the right tires for the right price in Canada. You can reach us by email, phone, or online chat, and we will be happy to help you.
