Wheel Alignment: Costs, Benefits and Information

Wheel alignment is preventive maintenance overlooked by most people. Wheel alignment not only prevents your car from pulling to one side or the other, it also can improve your tire life. It can help keep you and your family safe as well as save money with better gas mileage. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about tire alignment.

What is a Wheel Alignment Service?

Basically wheel alignment is simply adjusting the angles of your vehicles' wheels so they are parallel to the other tires and perpendicular to the ground.

Benefits of Wheel Alignment

Properly aligned tires will track straight and true, which not only helps with gas mileage, it also maximizes the life of the tire. In regards to safety, an aligned tire will not pull to the right or the left. Your vehicle will also drive more smoothly with tires that are properly aligned. Properly aligned tires achieve maximum traction on slippery surfaces which can be important when driving in less than ideal conditions.

Types of Wheel Alignments

There are three different types of wheel alignment available at most  shops. Front end alignment is exactly what it sounds like. The front wheels of the vehicle are aligned. A thrust angle alignment deals with the alignment of the rear axle. Four wheel alignment is performed on all wheel drive vehicles as well as front wheel drive cars. It makes adjustments to both the front and real axles.

Wheel Alignment Costs

Prices will vary depending on where you live and what type of repair shop you are using, but as a general guideline, a front or thrust angle alignment should cost between $30-$60, while a four wheel alignment will normally run between $60-$100.

How Often Should You Get Your Wheels Aligned?

As a general rule you should follow your owners manual recommendations, but it is a good idea to have your tires and alignment checked every 10,000 miles or so. If your car is pulling to one side, the tires are wearing unevenly, the vehicle is shimming or wandering, then you should have the vehicle checked immediately. Over time a vehicle will go out of alignment. Hitting a deep pothole can often throw a vehicle out of alignment as well.

General Tips

Any time you purchase new tires the shop should do an alignment for free. Alignments are often covered for free under warranties or extended warranties, so check your paperwork to see if you can get a no-cost alignment. When deciding what type of service you need, never buy a four wheel alignment when only your front wheels are out of alignment. Avoid shops that try to sell you a warranty with an alignment, or charge you for anything other then labor. There are no parts cost involved with a wheel alignment.

Compared to replacing four tires on your vehicle, the cost of a wheel alignment is insignificant. It not only helps keep your vehicle safe, it can also save you a significant amount of money in improved gas mileage and tire life.