When should I get my first alignment?
#1
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When should I get my first alignment?
The tire shops around here all claim that you should have an alignment done on your car every six months. The owners manual gives specific instructions about tire rotation, but not about alignment or balancing. Can anybody here offer some recommendations?
I know this sounds like a total newbie question, but I've found that there are quite few knowledable posters at this site who can help you can past the "recommendations" you from your standard tire shop (not hard to imagine why somebody would recommend a service they sell).
I know this sounds like a total newbie question, but I've found that there are quite few knowledable posters at this site who can help you can past the "recommendations" you from your standard tire shop (not hard to imagine why somebody would recommend a service they sell).
#4
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1. I would get the alignment done when lowering the car. The best method is to use a camber kit for better result.
2. Re-check the alignment when replacing tires or tire/wheel setup, especially if they are different size than the previous setup.
3. Re-check the alignment if the car no longer track the road correctly (going to one side by itself).
2. Re-check the alignment when replacing tires or tire/wheel setup, especially if they are different size than the previous setup.
3. Re-check the alignment if the car no longer track the road correctly (going to one side by itself).
#5
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So, in other words, the don't get a routine alignment? In the past, I've done it at least a year. But, it sounds like you guys are saying don't do it unless there is some kind of special need.
#6
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Originally posted by darth62
So, in other words, the don't get a routine alignment? In the past, I've done it at least a year. But, it sounds like you guys are saying don't do it unless there is some kind of special need.
So, in other words, the don't get a routine alignment? In the past, I've done it at least a year. But, it sounds like you guys are saying don't do it unless there is some kind of special need.
#7
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Tire shops push routine alignments and balancing, arguing that you should have it done once a year. The theory being that alignment is off because of the daily bumps that you suspension absorbs.
I'm not saying this reflects reality, but this is what most tire shops claim.
I'm not saying this reflects reality, but this is what most tire shops claim.
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#8
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Originally posted by darth62
Tire shops push routine alignments and balancing, arguing that you should have it done once a year. The theory being that alignment is off because of the daily bumps that you suspension absorbs.
I'm not saying this reflects reality, but this is what most tire shops claim.
Tire shops push routine alignments and balancing, arguing that you should have it done once a year. The theory being that alignment is off because of the daily bumps that you suspension absorbs.
I'm not saying this reflects reality, but this is what most tire shops claim.
Most times, cars only need alignments when they get tires. Remember, tire shops are not in the business to give away free advice. That's why they tell you things that cost you money.
#10
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Originally posted by darth62
Great. Thanks for the advice. You just saved me a few $.
Great. Thanks for the advice. You just saved me a few $.
If you want a good bit of information, visit www.tirerack.com. They are in the business of selling tires, but also give good free advice.
#11
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Originally posted by darth62
Tire shops push routine alignments and balancing, arguing that you should have it done once a year. The theory being that alignment is off because of the daily bumps that you suspension absorbs.
Tire shops push routine alignments and balancing, arguing that you should have it done once a year. The theory being that alignment is off because of the daily bumps that you suspension absorbs.
It's pay now for alignments or pay later with replacing badly and prematurely worn tires. I recommend once-a-year alignment along with tire balancing. Frequency is a judgement call and not a science. Alignment at a local place is about $60. That's cheap compared to replacing the 17" tires on a TSX. (Some people have been quoted upwards of $200 or more per tire at some places.)
Over time, it's driving over pot-holes and speeding over speed bumps that throw things off. I didn't know about alignments until about 4 or 5 years ago. Since I've had alignments done once-a-year, all tires on all of my motor vehicles have had absolutely normal, even wear.
#12
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (2)
Having the proper alignment is useful but it's not necessary to do it on a regular basis. Did you lower your cars or modify the suspension? If so, did you use the proper camber kit to bring the alignment back to spec and make sure all other suspension componets are in good working condition? Once the alignment is set correctly, it doesn't just go out of spec and cause the tires to wear prematurely, unless...
1. the car has worn out suspension components such as ball joints, shocks, or bent parts.
2. improper tire pressure
There isn't much to adjust on a stock alignment of today's cars. The most common adjustment is the toe. There is usually no caster, no camber adjustment without the add-on camber kit. If you jack up a car and inspect the suspension, you can clearly see where the point of adjustments are. So when you had the regular alignment done, did you ask exactly what was done to it?
1. the car has worn out suspension components such as ball joints, shocks, or bent parts.
2. improper tire pressure
There isn't much to adjust on a stock alignment of today's cars. The most common adjustment is the toe. There is usually no caster, no camber adjustment without the add-on camber kit. If you jack up a car and inspect the suspension, you can clearly see where the point of adjustments are. So when you had the regular alignment done, did you ask exactly what was done to it?
#13
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Thread Starter
Well, one reasonable alternative is to buy a lifetime alignment policy at your local goodyear dealer. It costs a little less than $100, and then you can get it aligned and tires balanced every six months at no cost. I did that for my last Accord, and it worked out well.
#14
Originally posted by JTso
1. I would get the alignment done when lowering the car. The best method is to use a camber kit for better result.
2. Re-check the alignment when replacing tires or tire/wheel setup, especially if they are different size than the previous setup.
3. Re-check the alignment if the car no longer track the road correctly (going to one side by itself).
1. I would get the alignment done when lowering the car. The best method is to use a camber kit for better result.
2. Re-check the alignment when replacing tires or tire/wheel setup, especially if they are different size than the previous setup.
3. Re-check the alignment if the car no longer track the road correctly (going to one side by itself).
1. I would get the alignment done when lowering the car. The best method is to use a camber kit for better result.
Only when your car is not lowered enough to go on the alignment rack...
#15
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Generally, unless you change the suspension geometry or notice tire wear caused by misalignment, then you needn't do an alignment.
Some tire shops will offer to check your alignment for free when you replace the tires. They then proceed to align the car if it needs it. Getting an alignment done when purchasing new tires will prolong the life of those new tires. You don't want brand-new rubber getting screwed up by bad alignment!
Some tire shops will offer to check your alignment for free when you replace the tires. They then proceed to align the car if it needs it. Getting an alignment done when purchasing new tires will prolong the life of those new tires. You don't want brand-new rubber getting screwed up by bad alignment!
#16
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Originally posted by XPLORx4
Generally, unless you change the suspension geometry or notice tire wear caused by misalignment, then you needn't do an alignment.
Generally, unless you change the suspension geometry or notice tire wear caused by misalignment, then you needn't do an alignment.
Bad pot holes are the most common form of alignment going out of whack.
#17
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Originally posted by Brad
Bad pot holes are the most common form of alignment going out of whack.
Bad pot holes are the most common form of alignment going out of whack.
And, as I said in my previous post, have your alignment at least checked when you replace your tires.
#19
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Originally posted by Brad
If you have uneven tire wear, it's too late for an alignment.
If you have uneven tire wear, it's too late for an alignment.
The best way to eliminate bad tire wear is to rotate your tires every 10-15k miles assuming your alignment is good to begin with and you don't do anything to knock the alignment out.
As for paying $100 for alignment package... never have done it and never have needed to (I've owned 5 cars, MANY sets of tires).
Only tires I wore out before their life expectancy was performance tires and that was because I ran them hard through corners... FYI, the alignment was still fine on them.
#20
An alignment should only be needed if something is obviously wrong with the handling of the vehicle, such as pulling to one side. My wife's Sentra developed an oversteer once settled into a fast corner, resulting from out-of-spec front toe angle.
Also, seek an alignment if you see uneven tire wear when you rotate your tires every 5000 miles or so.
Finally, maybe this is just my experience, but I will never trust anyone to align my car except for the dealer. I've tried reputable private shops, gas station service bays, chain tire merchants, etc, none of them has properly aligned my car. The car usually ends up pulling to one side, which they promptly blame on tire tread pattern.
Don't mess with alignment unless you see a problem.
Also, seek an alignment if you see uneven tire wear when you rotate your tires every 5000 miles or so.
Finally, maybe this is just my experience, but I will never trust anyone to align my car except for the dealer. I've tried reputable private shops, gas station service bays, chain tire merchants, etc, none of them has properly aligned my car. The car usually ends up pulling to one side, which they promptly blame on tire tread pattern.
Don't mess with alignment unless you see a problem.
#22
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Thread Starter
Originally posted by LeeLee
An alignment should only be needed if something is obviously wrong with the handling of the vehicle, such as pulling to one side. My wife's Sentra developed an oversteer once settled into a fast corner, resulting from out-of-spec front toe angle.
Also, seek an alignment if you see uneven tire wear when you rotate your tires every 5000 miles or so.
Finally, maybe this is just my experience, but I will never trust anyone to align my car except for the dealer. I've tried reputable private shops, gas station service bays, chain tire merchants, etc, none of them has properly aligned my car. The car usually ends up pulling to one side, which they promptly blame on tire tread pattern.
Don't mess with alignment unless you see a problem.
An alignment should only be needed if something is obviously wrong with the handling of the vehicle, such as pulling to one side. My wife's Sentra developed an oversteer once settled into a fast corner, resulting from out-of-spec front toe angle.
Also, seek an alignment if you see uneven tire wear when you rotate your tires every 5000 miles or so.
Finally, maybe this is just my experience, but I will never trust anyone to align my car except for the dealer. I've tried reputable private shops, gas station service bays, chain tire merchants, etc, none of them has properly aligned my car. The car usually ends up pulling to one side, which they promptly blame on tire tread pattern.
Don't mess with alignment unless you see a problem.
#23
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Originally posted by darth62
I used to get regular alignments on both of my Hondas, and never had a problem with pulling to either side.
I used to get regular alignments on both of my Hondas, and never had a problem with pulling to either side.
Aligning a car that is already in spec is like regularly changing your oil every 500 miles: sure, it can't hurt, but it's a lot of wasted time and money.
There's no harm in having the alignment checked from time to time, though, especially when replacing your tires.
#24
Three Wheelin'
Originally posted by Brad
Since I've had alignments done once-a-year, all tires on all of my motor vehicles have had absolutely normal, even wear.
Since I've had alignments done once-a-year, all tires on all of my motor vehicles have had absolutely normal, even wear.
#25
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Originally posted by STL
I think even once-a-year can be overkill. I haven't had a wheel alignment done on my Civic in 5+ years, and I've had nothing but normal, even tire wear.
I think even once-a-year can be overkill. I haven't had a wheel alignment done on my Civic in 5+ years, and I've had nothing but normal, even tire wear.
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