- Written ByJohn Goreham
- 4/17/2024
Edited ByJulie Bausch Lent
Your vehicle will need a wheel alignment if you drive it long enough. A wheel alignment can improve your driving experience and help prolong the life of your tires. We know you are dying to hear how much an alignment costs, so we will tell you in the intro that the price is typically around $150.
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What is a Wheel Alignment?
A wheel alignment is a procedure performed by a mechanic or technician to ensure that your vehicle’s wheels (and, therefore, tires) are properly lined up on the suspension. Your vehicle’s manufacturer spent considerable time and money to determine the best way for your tires to be mounted to the car so that you get optimum handling, braking, ride comfort, and even tire wear.
The wheels on your car are bolted to the suspension system. That system consists of a series of links and connectors that work together when the vehicle moves over the road. How the vehicle sits on the road can be adjusted. The wheels can be changed so that they point in or out relative to the vehicle’s center line, which mechanics call “toe.” They can be adjusted relative to the tilt of the wheel if you were able to look down from above when it is mounted, which is called camber. The last adjustment is more difficult to describe. It’s called caster and has to do with the steering angle of the vehicle. All of these have a specification. Your mechanic can adjust the vehicle so that the wheels are within the specified values.
Why Do I Need A Wheel Alignment?
Before we go too much farther, let’s get one thing out of the way - you may not need a wheel alignment. It is not a maintenance operation that is typically performed on a set schedule. It is not uncommon for service centers to suggest a wheel alignment (also called a four-wheel alignment). If your mechanic suggests one, ask her why she is recommending it. She may have a valid reason she can explain more clearly to you.
Reasons For A Wheel Alignment
There are some very good reasons to get a wheel alignment. All of them have to do with an event that somehow changes the angles of the tire relative to the suspension. Here’s a top-down list of reasons why an alignment may be beneficial.
- You have noticed the car pulls to one side while driving or braking.
- You struck something like a curb or monster pothole. This caused a noticeable change in your handling.
- You do a lot of off-pavement driving, and the suspension has been giving its all off-road.
- Your car is about to get new tires. The old tires coming off the car are clearly unevenly worn.
- Your steering wheel is not centered when you drive straight on a flat smooth roadway.
- You are having suspension work performed.
Who Can Perform a Wheel Alignment on My Vehicle?
Performing a wheel alignment is a job that any trained mechanic or technician can perform. Like most mechanical work, experience matters. You will get a better result if you use a reputable repair shop. Any dealer can perform a wheel alignment, most tire retailers can perform a wheel alignment, and a fair percentage of repair shops can perform a wheel alignment. The work requires some special tools, so it is not uncommon for a small repair shop to recommend customers go to another place for this work.
Can I Do My Own Wheel Alignment?
It is not practical to try to align one’s own tires. The special equipment and time spent on the job would be impractical.
What Does an Alignment Printout Mean?
When you have a wheel alignment performed, the computer that helps with the job will usually print out a list of the caster, camber, and toe angles of your wheels. The manufacturer lists a specification range. That’s important. There is not a single set angle but a small range of angles acceptable. If your car has one or more wheels that are out of the range, an alignment can correct this issue.
Wheel Alignment And New Tires - When To Get One, When to Skip It
It is very common for your tire retailer to suggest a wheel alignment when you buy four new tires. There are two main reasons for this. First, it can help prevent uneven tire wear, which some vehicle owners may blame on the installer or the tire manufacturer. Second, if it has been many years since you have had an alignment, it is likely that one or more of the wheels are out of spec. It is a preventative measure.
Normal Wear or One Tire On a Beater - Skip the Alignment
Some shops take the precautionary alignment too seriously, and some just want to upsell you on more work you won’t benefit from. If you are replacing one tire and the tire that came off the car was worn more or less uniformly across its tread width, you can skip the alignment. If your car is a beater that has a value around the same as an alignment, you know you can skip the alignment.
Car Drives Straight Down the Road, Wheel Straight, No Unusual Tire Wear - You Can Skip the Alignment
Some cars don't go out of alignment over time. Car Talk’s fleet includes a 2007 Toyota Highlander that has never been aligned, but its tires wear normally, and it drives perfectly straight ahead down the road. If your car has no symptoms of needing an alignment, you can skip it when buying new tires. Just be prepared for the old “I told you so” look you will get from your mechanic after your first tire rotation if the tires are starting to scallop or wear on one side more than the other.
How Much Should a Wheel Alignment Cost?
Wheel alignments cost between $100 and $200, with dealerships charging more than most other shops. Luxury brand dealerships often charge the most. We were quoted $139.95 from a Boston-area Subaru dealer for an alignment. A Mazda dealer quoted us $149.95. Sullivan Tire, a popular local tire retailer in New England, offers alignments at $149.99.
Read more on the topic of Owning a Car here.
FAQ
- How much does an alignment cost?
An alignment costs approximately $150 in 2023, with dealerships typically charging a bit more than local shops.
- What is an alignment on a vehicle?
An alignment is an adjustment to your suspension that allows your wheels and steering to work optimally.
- How do I know if my car needs an alignment?
Signs of needing an alignment include:
- The car pulls to one side while driving or braking.
- You struck something like a curb or monster pothole. This caused a noticeable change in your handling.
- You do a lot of off-pavement driving, and the suspension has been giving its all off-road.
- Your car is about to get new tires. The old tires coming off the car are clearly unevenly worn.
- Your steering wheel is not centered when you drive straight on a flat smooth roadway.
- Other suspension work is being performed.
- The car pulls to one side while driving or braking.
- What is the difference between car alignment, two-wheel alignment and four-wheel alignment?
All mean basically the same thing. Two-wheel alignments are old-school and no longer typically performed on modern cars.
- Do I need an alignment when I buy four new tires?
It is common practice to align a vehicle when four new tires are mounted as a precautionary measure. This will help ensure your tires have the longest life. If you have recently had the car aligned and have no symptoms, you can skip it.
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