If you are driving a car, tire wear is an unavoidable issue. In addition to reducing wear, regularly aligning your car can help keep it driving safely and smoothly. Routine car maintenance such as alignment can be costly, and prices vary depending on where you live and the type of car you own.
Average Car Alignment Costs
Research on alignment costs throughout the United States shows that on average, alignment costs between $107.89 and $126.61. Find out how much it costs to align your car in your area and learn about the reasons that may necessitate it.
What is Car Alignment?
As the name suggests, car alignment requires the calibration of your car’s components to meet specific specifications. A technician inspects three parts:
- The camber (the front or rear tilt of the tire relative to its vertical position – this affects the effort needed to steer)
- The camber (the vertical angle at which the tires meet the road – this affects tire wear)
- The toe (the direction of the tires – similar to looking at your toes and pivoting on your heels to adjust the angle between your feet)
The technician may also analyze how the car drives to check for issues and look for a steering wheel that vibrates, pulls, or makes unusual noises. The suspension is also inspected for any problems. The technician adjusts the camber, toe, and caster. Once the adjustments are finished, they use an alignment platform to ensure the alignment is correct and may conduct a test drive to check.
Do I Need to Align My Car?
You may need to align your car after hitting a pothole or if you notice a pull in the steering wheel. Recommendations for how often to align vary – many auto repair shops recommend it every 6,000 miles or as needed. Some government agencies and other organizations also publish guidelines. For example, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs recommends alignment every 10,000 miles or once a year.
Note: Automotive experts recommend rotating tires every 5,000 – 8,000 miles.
Signs You Need Car Alignment
- Steering issues
- Unusual amounts of noise on the road
- Uneven tire wear
How Can I Choose the Best Place for Car Alignment?
Any qualified technician should be able to provide car alignment service. Many of them even offer free alignment checks to tell you how much you need it. To ensure that the technician is qualified to complete the car alignment safely, check that they are ASE certified. If the technician suggests heavy suspension work in addition to basic alignment, be prepared to get a second opinion from a different auto shop.
Does Insurance Cover Car Alignment Costs?
If you are hit by another driver, their car insurance may cover the cost of aligning your vehicle, depending on the insurance laws in your state.
Your own insurance is likely to cover the cost of car alignment when necessary. However, you may be able to obtain some financial assistance from your city or county government if the alignment is part of larger damages resulting from hitting a pothole. Most cities and states have procedures for drivers to file claims if damage occurs due to poorly maintained road repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if the alignment is off? You may feel the steering wheel pull to one side. It can also affect braking and increase fuel consumption.
How can you check your car’s alignment? Some signs that your car is misaligned include feeling the vehicle pull to one side, uneven tire wear, or unusual loud noises while driving. You can perform some tests at home to check alignment, but it is best to have a technician inspect it using the proper tools to fix the correct issue.
What…
What does frame alignment do? It ensures that the frames are positioned at the correct angles for proper driving and helps to reduce fuel consumption and tire wear.
Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/how-much-will-a-car-alignment-cost-4176341
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