Proper tire alignment is important to prevent excessive tire and vehicle component wear. Poor tire alignment can reduce your MPG, cause wheels to work against each other, and wear tires by creating improper tread wear patterns. Here are some signs that suggest you need an alignment fix.
- Uneven wear. If one of your front or rear tires shows a very different wear pattern from its opposite, it’s more than likely time for a tire alignment.
- Pulling to the right or left. If a vehicle’s wheels are misaligned, you’ll notice the vehicle will automatically try to turn to one side or the other. If you have to fight the wheel, it’s time for an alignment so that all wheels point in the correct direction.
- Passive pull. With a minor alignment issue, the vehicle may not actively pull, but when you let the car go straight without a hand on the steering wheel, the vehicle may naturally drift in one direction or another. This is also a sign of an alignment problem.
- Vibration. Poor alignment can also cause vibrations as the wheels pull against each other. If your car shakes while driving on the road, check your alignment.
- A crooked steering wheel. Another sign of a misaligned vehicle is that the steering wheel may be crooked while the car or truck is moving straight. Keep an eye out for this telltale sign of an alignment issue.
The Benefits of Tire Alignment
Poor tire alignment can lead to many different problems in a vehicle. Here are some reasons why it’s not a good idea to continue driving without proper tire alignment from a professional workshop.
- It facilitates tire rotation. Even if you take care to rotate the tires every 7000 miles, if the car is not aligned, they can still wear out and shred in a relatively short time.
- It meets warranty requirements. If your tires come with a warranty or a “lifetime certificate,” check the fine print. It likely includes the requirement to get periodic alignments to prevent the tires from wearing incorrectly. Don’t let your warranty be voided by a lack of proper maintenance.
- It improves handling. A car with proper wheel alignment is easier to drive. When faced with road obstacles like potholes (which further disrupt alignment), you’re ahead if you have correct wheel alignment on your vehicle.
- It reduces steering column wear. Poor alignment causes wear on many car parts, not just the tires. In extreme situations, a misaligned vehicle can shake parts and cause even more deterioration. Your best bet is to get periodic alignments so that the car’s systems don’t suffer from being shaken.
- Improves fuel consumption. Like many other car issues, poor alignment can lead to lower MPG because the vehicle uses more energy to maintain its path than it should. Don’t let poor wheel alignment harm your vehicle’s overall health and limit the MPG it gets on the road.
Tire Alignment Costs
Auto cost assistance websites provide a price range for a tire alignment. This breaks down into categories:
- Front alignment. This service involves fixing the alignment of the two front tires only. Standard costs for this package range from $30 to $65, depending on the local market.
- Four-wheel alignment. This involves aligning all four wheels of the vehicle. It ranges from $50 to $95, depending on the local market.
- Additional costs. Larger vehicles may be more expensive when you want a full four-wheel alignment.
Alignment Terminology
To understand wheel alignment, we need to understand the terms used and their meanings.
Camber
Camber refers to the angle of a wheel. The measurement is calculated in degrees. Looking at the front of the vehicle, if the wheel is tilted outward, it’s positive camber. If the wheel leans toward the car, it’s negative camber. When the wheel’s camber is not true or centered, it leads to uneven tire wear that pulls the car to one side or the other. Some front-wheel-drive vehicles cannot be adjusted for camber; therefore, if the camber is off on such a car, it means a part is worn or broken in the suspension system and needs repair.
Caster
When a car’s steering wheel is turned, a pivot is turned by the front wheels. This pivot is attached to the car’s suspension system. The angle of this pivot is measured in degrees, which is called caster. If you look at your car from one of the sides and the top of the pivot is tilted toward the rear of your car, it’s positive caster. When the top of the pivot is tilted forward, it’s negative caster. When the wheels’ caster is off, the car doesn’t track properly when moving in a straight line. This can make the car’s steering too light or too heavy, making it difficult to control. Caster is generally not adjustable on front-wheel-drive cars. When caster is off on these cars, there’s a part of the suspension that needs repair.
Toe
Your vehicle’s “toe” is the distance between the front of the tire and the rear. When your tires are toed in, it means the front part of the tires is closer together than the rear part. When looking at the front tires, if your tires look like a triangle in their relationship to each other with the small end toward you, your car is toed in. If the triangle has the small end toward the rear of the vehicle, it means it’s toed out. Your tires should be equal to each other, forming a square. When tires are toed in or out, they wear out quickly. A car’s toe is adjustable on all types of cars.
Related Questions and Answers
Can poor car tire alignment cause loud tire/road noise?
It is very rare for poor car tire alignment to cause loud tire rolling noise. This would mean a very serious problem in your alignment if it reached that point. Tire alignment essentially means your tires are straight relative to each other, and for them to be twisted enough to make a loud noise against the road is a sign of a serious situation. Poor tire alignment is highlighted by drifting during driving where the car seems to pull to one side or the wheels are visibly off-center. If left unchecked, poor alignment will lead to uneven wear on your tires, and it is extremely rare for your tires to make a loud noise due to poor alignment.
What is the average price for tire alignment?
The tire alignment price you pay will vary depending on the alignment performed and the location. The recommended alignment is a four-wheel alignment, and you should ensure that’s what you’re getting, as you might be charged less for a front-wheel alignment or a thrust alignment, which only addresses the rear axle. A price of $60 to $85 is reasonable, depending on various factors. Most mechanics will start by offering a higher price than their final offer. Negotiate the price and get the best deal possible. Anyone asking for more than $90 is too expensive, and you should look elsewhere.
Do tire alignment costs vary by car type?
Tire alignment costs vary depending on the type of car you’re aligning. For example, if you were to align a Smart car, the alignment costs might be lower than if you were trying to align the latest Cadillac CTS. It’s a matter of cost and car. A truck, on the other hand, will likely cost even more to align. Especially if it’s a 4X4, because you not only need to ensure the full alignment of the front end (tie rods, upper/lower steering racks, steering assembly, etc.), you’ll also need to ensure that the drive wheels on the four rear drive wheels are functioning correctly as well. This could cost you more than you think.
Does rear tire alignment cost more or less than front tire alignment?
A rear tire alignment will tend to be less expensive than a front alignment for one reason: complexity. In a rear alignment, you’re still adjusting toe-in and toe-out, but that’s about it. You’ll need to make some minor suspension adjustments, but they can be done with a wrench. If you need to insert rear shims (spacers) to align the rear of your car, a wrench will do the job. The front end, with its toe-in/toe-out, tie rod assemblies, steering rack assemblies, and more, is more involved because one thing affects another. Thus, a front alignment will actually be the more expensive alignment.
How can you tell the difference between tire vibrations and engine vibrations?
Engine vibrations are easier to determine than tire vibrations. First, sit at a red light and look at the tachometer if your vehicle has one. If the engine refuses to stabilize and the idle level fluctuates between 800 RPM and 2600 RPM, you can be almost sure you have an engine idle issue. If you have a tire vibration, you won’t notice it until you’re at speed. Once you reach cruising speed, you’ll likely feel the steering wheel vibrate. Holding it with one hand will only confirm it. If it’s a tire vibration, it could indicate tire wear or a tire issue. It could also indicate that your crankshaft might be slightly misaligned, or it could simply be resonance with the pavement.
Are oversteer and understeer signs of poor tire alignment?
Oversteer and understeer are more likely signs of poorly maintained tires than signs of poor tire alignment. Poorly maintained tires should be addressed for safety reasons. On the other hand, misalignment manifests as cupping in the front and rear tires. If you find such cupping, shake your tires to see if there’s any play. If so, there’s a good chance the toe-in and toe-out need resetting, as do the tie rods. Once that’s done, your car is ready to roll. However, monitor your tire condition and keep them in good shape.