I believe the alignment in my car might be off, but just slightly, so it's hard to tell. I don't want to spend the money to have it aligned if there really isn't a problem. Are there any places that will check alignment for free?
2007-01-03 05:42:07 · 8 answers · asked by drshorty 7 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You can check it yourself. Drive the car forward and let it coast bto a stop. Apply parking brake. Now measure from a point (like the center) of one tire to the other tire. Then go to the back side of the tires and take the same measurement. The front measurement should be about 1/8 of an inch less. This is known as "toe-in". But first make sure both tires have the same amount of air pressure.
2007-01-03 05:48:40 · answer #1 · answered by tumbleweed1954 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most tire retailers will check your alignment for free.
99% of the time, your alignment will not be perfect, so companies are willing to check it for free just to get your car up and 'find' things that need to be repaired.
They usually will show you a printout of where you alignment stands compared to 'perfect' specs. If it is within range, tell them, "thank you but you'll wait til you purchase tires." If it is out of range, thell them "thank you but you'll wait til you purchase tires." Then get the care aligned when you either can afford it or when you get new tires.
Hope this helps.
2007-01-03 05:54:16 · answer #2 · answered by Lemar J 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Find a straight, flat road and get the car going as straight as possible. Get up to a speed around 40-50 MPH, and keep the steering wheel as straight as possible. Then let go of the steering wheel. The car should go straight on course. If it drifts to the right then you have a right wheel alignment problem. If it drifts left then you have a left wheel alignment problem.
2007-01-03 14:24:09 · answer #3 · answered by nightwolf364 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check all your tires pressure. They need to be the same. Then when you get your oil changed, have them rotate the tires. If this doesn't solve what you think is an alignment problem, sleep with the mechanic. You should at leaast be able to get a discount.
2007-01-03 05:46:49 · answer #4 · answered by an_awsome_woman 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There used to be gas stations that had this service. when you drove throught for gas you crossed the alignment bars and it gave a reading. I haven't seen one in years, but some places will check it for free, just ask around :)
2007-01-03 05:43:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I doubt it. I don't think there are any doctors who give away free exams if it turns out you are not sick. I don't believe that restaurants will cut the bill in half if you only eat part of your meal.
In other words, why would any mechanic want to work on your car for free?
2007-01-03 05:45:24 · answer #6 · answered by united9198 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't know of anyone that'll do it free unless you know a mechanic, but Wal-Mart has great service depts. and are very reasonably priced.
2007-01-03 05:46:07 · answer #7 · answered by Lou 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start dating a mechanic who owns his own garage.
2007-01-03 05:44:07 · answer #8 · answered by kja63 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋