When you think of your car’s safety features, don’t stop with brakes, traction control, and air bags. Wheels and tires play an important role, too! They help the car drive straight, turn corners, and stop reliably. To help achieve optimal performance, it’s important to have the wheels properly aligned.
WHAT’S THE COST OF WHEEL ALIGNMENT?
The national average for a complete wheel alignment service is between $50 to $168. Although, cost can vary depending on the service provider and the type of alignment.
Wheel alignment should be performed once a year, but it may be required more frequently, depending on your driving style and where you drive. Potholes, gravel, and off-roading can all be hard on your alignment. If you have questions about how often your car’s wheels require alignment, or when your next service should take place, just contact your local Jiffy Lube®. A trained technician will be ready to help.
LET’S TALK TIRE ALIGNMENT
This is the process of adjusting a car’s steering and suspension, making sure that the tires are connecting with the road surface at the proper angles.
Alignment also ensures that the car steers, rides, and handles as the manufacturer intended.
FACTORS THAT CAN IMPACT THE COST OF WHEEL ALIGNMENT
How much you pay for a wheel alignment can ride on the following factors:
The number of wheels
A front-end alignment (or two wheel alignment), which involves only the front two wheels, typically costs anywhere from $50 to $75. While a four wheel alignment costs more, usually $100 to $168.
Type of car
You may find that the answer to “how much is a wheel alignment” is higher for luxury cars. That’s because some vehicles require specialized equipment or have engineering designs that make the job more difficult and time consuming.
Additional services
While performing the alignment, the technician may find that more work — like tire balancing or car suspension repairs — is needed. Local labor costs and rates can also vary by city, state, provider, and technician.
DOES THE COST OF WHEEL ALIGNMENT SEEM EXPENSIVE?
Look at it this way: spending $100 or so on properly aligned tires may save you much more in costly repairs. That’s right: skipping this service could cause your tires, steering, and suspension to wear out prematurely. Improperly aligned tires can also result in reduced fuel economy, and who wants to pay more at the pump?
WHAT HAPPENS DURING ALIGNMENT?
To determine if you need a wheel alignment, the technician will take your car for a test drive to check for signs of alignment problems, such as:
- Shaking steering wheel
- Car shaking when driving
- Vehicle veers to the left or right when the steering wheel is in a resting position
Using an alignment machine and performing a visual inspection, the technician will then analyze the steering angles at three checkpoints.
Caster
This is the angle created by drawing an imaginary line between the steering mechanism’s upper and lower ball joints and affects the car’s steering so that it stays at the proper height and has more stability at higher speeds.
Camber
This is the angle between the horizontal road and the vertical tire. It determines how much of the tire tread meets the road and can impact how the tires wear.
Toe
This is the angle (or distance) between the leading edge of the tires and affects the wear of the tires and stability when turning.
The technician then compares the recorded angles with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
With the help of the alignment machine, the technician adjusts the caster, camber, and toe as needed until they are within the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended ranges.
Lastly, the car is taken on a final test drive to verify that the new adjustments are accurate and have corrected any pre-repair conditions.
WHY DOES AN ALIGNMENT MATTERS?
There are several benefits to properly aligned tires, here’s what you should know.
- It helps your vehicle maintain better contact with the road’s surface, which extends tire life and improves traction on slick roads.
- It reduces tire rolling resistance and better absorbs road shock, resulting in improved gas mileage and a smoother ride on paved surfaces.
- And, during the alignment, your mechanic may discover worn steering and suspension parts, which provides an opportunity to service them before they turn into a costly or dangerous mechanical problem.
So now you know, having properly aligned tires can save you time, provide a smoother ride, and help keep you safer on the road.
FAQs
The national average for a complete wheel alignment service is between $50 to $168. Although, cost can vary depending on the service provider and the type of alignment. Wheel alignment should be performed once a year, but it may be required more frequently, depending on your driving style and where you drive.
How much does it cost to get in alignment? ›
The cost of an alignment depends on several factors: The number of wheels. A front-end alignment, which involves only the two wheels on the front of the car, typically costs anywhere from $50 to $75. Four-wheel alignments cost more, usually $100 to $175.
Is it worth paying for wheel alignment? ›
Alignments are Worth Every Penny
Vehicle maintenance is a necessary burden for anyone who wants to keep their auto running for as long as possible. The prospect of spending around $70 to $100 or more for a wheel alignment can be frustrating, but it's money well spent.
How do I know if I need an alignment? ›
The most common signs of misalignment are pulling to one side while you're driving, unusual tire wear and/or a steering wheel that's off-center even though your vehicle is pointed straight.
How long does it take to do an alignment? ›
An alignment is not a time-consuming procedure and should typically take an hour or less. A four-wheel alignment (as opposed to a front-wheel one) will take a little longer, and if the mechanic finds broken or worn-out parts in the suspension system, replacing them will take longer as well.
How many times does a car need an alignment? ›
Typically, it is recommended to get your wheels aligned every 2 to 3 years. However, to ensure the optimal safety of your car, yourself and others around you, it is best to opt for a wheel alignment every time you go to change your oil of the vehicle.
What is an alignment fee? ›
An alignment fee is a charge that lines up your accounting fees with what you would have paid if you'd signed up with us at the start of your accounting year. It makes sure that we get paid in full for the work we do at the year end even though you weren't with us throughout all of your financial year.
Is it OK to drive with bad alignment? ›
Driving a car with bad alignment is never recommended and can cause more than just an annoying driving experience. Doing so could lead to reduced fuel economy, expensive tire replacement costs, and steering concerns that could put you, your passengers, and other motorists at risk.
Will my car drive better after alignment? ›
As a result, it can help your car drive better by improving how it handles turns as well as how efficiently it uses fuel.
How to know if wheel alignment is bad? ›
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU NEED A WHEEL ALIGNMENT?
- Your vehicle pulls to one side.
- Uneven or rapid tire wear.
- Your steering wheel is crooked when driving straight.
- Squealing tires.
- Shaking or vibrating steering wheel.
- Your steering wheel feels loose or unresponsive.
For the most part, doesn't matter whether you get your alignment before or after having your new tires put on. Most experts agree that the only effect worn tires have on your alignment is a change to the vehicle's ride height which, given today's steering and suspension design, should be negligible.
How do I check my alignment myself? ›
Jack up one of the front tires, secure the vehicle on jack stands, then spray-paint a stripe on the tread while spinning the tire. Try to keep your hand as steady as possible so your line can be even on both tires. Measure from line to line with the tape level with the floor.
What causes wheel alignment to go out? ›
Here are the top three reasons your vehicle may fall out of alignment: Sudden disturbance or impact from hitting something such as a pothole, bumping into a curb, going too fast over a speed bump, or an accident. Suspension components, including poor shocks or struts, become worn or loose affecting alignment.
How long can you go without a wheel alignment? ›
The interval for wheel alignment can vary significantly depending on the type of vehicle you own, your driving habits, and other factors. Most mechanics recommend that you get a wheel alignment once every two or three years. However, the best thing to do is to follow the recommended interval in your owner's manual.
What happens if you wait too long for an alignment? ›
What happens if you wait too long for an alignment? Tire alignment is crucial for maintaining optimal tire performance and lifespan. Even slight misalignments, undetectable to the naked eye but measurable in tenths of degrees or hundredths of inches, can lead to premature and uneven wear.
What happens if you don't get an alignment? ›
Over time, if you don't get your vehicle aligned, the vibrations will get worse. This can compromise your ability to keep a good grip on your steering wheel and drive safely down the road. If your steering wheel doesn't stay straight and starts to vibrate when you drive, you need to get your tires aligned.
How much does an alignment cost in the US? ›
Average Cost of a Wheel Alignment
The least you can expect to pay for a two-wheel alignment is $50, but many places now charge $65, $75, or $90. In most cases, you're unlikely to pay more than $100, although some service centers quote prices as high as $150.
Is it a must to get a wheel alignment? ›
It is important to have your wheel alignment checked regularly, as it can significantly improve the handling and safety of your vehicle. By keeping your wheels properly aligned, you can extend the life of your tires, improve the handling of your vehicle, and save money on fuel costs.
Can you do an alignment at home? ›
While it's possible to do a DIY alignment at home, it's best to have a mechanic do it for you at a service center near you. You can do the wheel alignment separately or as part of your annual tire care service and vehicle maintenance at Tom Kadlec Kia.
Should I do wheel alignment after changing tires? ›
If your wheels are misaligned, the new tires may start to wear unevenly right from the beginning, resulting in a shortened lifespan. Getting an alignment after new tire installation ensures that your vehicle drives straight and true, improving both safety and performance.
