How often do you get your car aligned? Do you only align if you notice issues with your tires? Do you align everytime you get your tires rotated? Trying to figure out if it makes since to buy one of those 3 or 5 year alignment programs or not. Where are some good places to get your car aligned, etc? I've heard people mention certain kind of equipment (Hunter), but how do you find out who has it?

 

Alignment is only needed if you detect an uneven wear patern, other than that it's a waste of time and money.
A search will show you other threads on the subject.

Here's one:
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-tires-wheels-suspension-97/how-often-do-you-get-alignment-763539/

 

On my TL I have gotten it aligned twice in two years due to potholes. On previous cars, I usually went to FireStone and paid for lifetime alignments (usually $140ish) instead of paying for $80 alignments every year or two. I generally do not consider an alignment normal routine maint that needs to be done on a regular basis.

 

Every oil change=alignment + tire rotation.

 

Why? Do you believe the alignment specs move???????????
Crazy!

 

^
Actually, they do?

I'm dropped, and hit irregularities on the road. Since I have a lifetime alignment, it's worth it. Also, when I rotate tires, that changes things up a bit, as well.

 

Changing the tires has nothing to do with an alignment. You could install bald tires, tires worn on one edge, or tires worn on both edges, and the algnment won't change. Think about it, the rim clamp gives the reading from the geometry of the wheel, not the tire.

 

What a coincidence, I just paid for the Firestone lifetime alignment today. I did a lot of research and found lots of good and bad experiences with this. I talked to the tech at my local Firestone and got a good feeling from him. He's a car guy himself and knew what the hell he was talking about. He told me it's cool if I adjust the ride height even though the Firestone techs aren't supposed to sell the lifetime alignment to cars that can have their ride height.

 

I understand this.

However, depending on the "wear" of the tire, the car will track a certain way. But with an alignment, you maintain even tire wear, and the car will drive straight.

 

I was referring to the statement that you made that when you do a tire rotation that changes things up a bit. It doesn't.

Also, the car will only track in a non conforming manner if it's out of alignment, and in all my years I've never seen a suspension out of alignment at every oil change. It seems as though your car magically goes out of alignment and it needs to be done every oil change to make it track correctly. Suspension tolerances don't change inless they are worn or damaged. If this were the case every new car that was sold would wear the tires out in 10,000 miles.

One of the most misunderstood topics when it comes to a discussion.

 

It may not be the case for everyone, but I manage to hit my share of potholes and road irregularities. Add on top of that the fact that I'm lowered, and I like the fact that I can get an alignment when needed.