Getting a tire alignment is one of the regular maintenance tasks required to keep your vehicle in tip-top condition. Alignment assures your tires meet the road at the proper angle, your wheels are pointing straight and your tires are centred in the wheel wells. It adjusts the angles of your vehicle’s wheels to original specs for the best gas mileage, proper road contact, a smooth ride, and the longest tire life. In this blog, we cover everything you need to know about tire alignment.

Signs you need a tire alignment

Your wheel pulls to one side: This is a classic sign of improper alignment. When your tires don’t meet the road perpendicular, your car veers to one side.

You notice a vibration: Both the steering wheel and floorboard vibrate when you turn or drive at high speeds. In the case of misalignment, it occurs because the tires are pulling in opposite directions.

Your steering wheel is off-centre: It looks like you have a bull’s-eye on your steering wheel when you look in your rearview mirror.

Your tires wear unevenly: A tire wears unevenly if it wears in different areas than others. This results in a noticeable bulge where the tire meets the road. A misaligned tire will wear unevenly because of constant, uneven contact with the road surface, causing both the inside and outside of the tire to wear.

How often should I get a tire alignment?

Aligning your wheels is an important maintenance task, but how often you need to have it done depends on your driving style. Most mechanics recommend getting a wheel alignment once every two or three years. Since alignment needs can vary widely depending on your vehicle type, typical road conditions, and tire style, it’s best to get a recommendation from an expert or to follow your user’s manual.

How long does an alignment take?

Normally, whether it’s a two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive car, a wheel alignment will take an hour or less. It will take longer if some parts need to be changed, for example, if the suspension system, steering bushing, track rod, or other elements have too much wear and tear or damage.

Getting a wheel alignment is an important element of vehicle maintenance. If you notice that your tires a misaligned, book an appointment with our experts today!