Is a tire alignment necessary for car maintenance or only when you need it?

Question

I went to Tire Kingdom recently and they tried to persuade me to get a tire alignment as part of my car's maintenance. But it handles just fine and I don't really have any problems with the steering. The tires themselves are okay, too. Were they just trying to scam me or are tire alignments really a preventative maintenance procedure?

Answer 1

alignment can be required if you have knocked the wheel on a kerb or somethin, cause then they wear on one side and you end up paying for a new one,

if the handling is ok and the wear is even then you dont need to get it done, certainly not required as a part of an ordinary service

: )

Answer 2

The problem is, if you wait to see a problem with tire wear, you have already lost at least 10,000 miles of tire life. Ask if they do alignment checks. Canadian Tire will check alignment for $10. If the alignment is fine, it has cost you $10 and you have a print-out. If it needs alignment, they show you on the print-out, and the $10 comes off the price of the alignment, because you are already on the machine. Some cars, my old 76 Valiant was one, were good for 50,000 miles as long as I didn't run on really crappy roads, other cars need them annually. There is no hard and fast rule, but having an alignment also means your car's front end suspension and steering are all checked, and safe.

I had a broken spring. I didn't know because it was broken on the bottom ring so it still sat in the cup. That was caught when I had my wheel alignment. Otherwise, it could have jumped out of the cup if I hit a large bump, and who knows what kind of accident I could have had.

Answer 3

Yes and no, if it has been a long time since I would do. If your alignment is off, it will wear your tires really quick, and burn up gas. A simple way to check your alignment is drive and let go of the steering wheel. If it stays in a straight line then it is good. My alignment was off and within a year the outside rime of my tires where completely bald with the rest of the tire having tread. It is needed for care maintance but not that often, they are probably trying to scam you. If you think your car's alignment is fine and there is no quick tire wear don't get it. But if you know your car pulls to the left or right I would get it. Sounds like a scam thought

Answer 4

I usually get a four wheel alignment when I first buy my tires. If you doing a whole lot of sharp turning, flying over speed bumps or hitting pot holes in the road then you may want to take it into consideration. If you take your hands off the sterring wheel and your car starts to veer to either the left or the right, then it may be time for an alignment. I would get a second opinion, they would have to show me and convince me thoroughly that I need a tire alignment which usually invovles a tire rotation, before I spend unnecessary money.
Shops are out to make money by any means necessary, they will try to sell you on every service they have. So be careful

Answer 5

It is important, but that's not to say they're not trying to scam you. But most places do that for free so that's even lame that they want to charge you for it. Try this to see if you're alignment is off... while driving down a street that goes straight a while (no curves or hills) at atleast 40 mph, kinda let go of the wheel, if your car pulls left or right significantly, get the alignment adjusted. If it's off it can cause your tires to wear down very quickly and those can get pricey to replace.

Answer 6

Swift and sure steering responses are needed at today's driving speeds. To accomplish this, the wheels must be in alignment. Wheel alignment allows the wheels to roll without scuffing, dragging,or slipping on different types of road conditions. Proper alignment both the front and rear wheels ensures greater safety in driving, easier steering, longer tire life, reduction in fuel consumption, and less strain on the parts that make up the steering and suspension systems of the vehicle. Wheel alignment is usually done when steering or suspension components are replaced, or when suspension components weaken causing steering angles to become unaligned. If the tires where being replaced because of premature failure from worn or damaged components, then it would be in your best interest to have it done.

Answer 7

What do you mean by tire alignment ? I have heard of steering alignment and of tire balancing but never that.
If you mean steering alignment, well, that is good to have checked. It is not a scam provided they do it right. Some garages suggest it but have very primitive and badly maintained steering alignment instruments. Also the operator MUST KNOW what he is doing. If you trust the garage let them do it. I would. Mis-aligned steering costs money -- tires wear out faster because they are not running parallel to each other but partially sideways.

Answer 8

You should have the car aligned when you think there is a problem. You mentioned all the typical examples and found them to be okay. Tire stores are notorious for adding things that you really don't need. I would find a good mechanic to help you with those decisions.

Answer 9

Periodic tire alignment helps increase the life of your tires by keeping the tires from wearing down in the same spots.

Answer 10

It's been five years since I had an alignment job, that was when I got new four tires and they're still in great shape. If you travel bumpy roads, hit pot holes or fly over over rough rail road crossings a lot, a alignment once ayear might be worth it or if and when you feel a pull or notice uneven tread wear.