How often should you get an alignment in Dayton, Ohio

Chrysler at Jamie's Tire & Service receiving a wheel alignment service.

Everything You Need to Know About Vehicle Alignment

Potholes in Dayton, Ohio can wreak havoc on the suspension of your car. Especially in late winter and early spring, potholes are responsible for many of the suspension-related repair services we perform at Jamie’s Tire & Service. The shocks, struts, tie rods, and ball joints in your vehicle can take a beating as road conditions deteriorate, leaving you with a costly repair bill. While some pothole damage requires parts replacement and other repairs, many vehicles just need an alignment to keep the car driving like it should. Wheel alignment service adjusts the angle of the wheels and tires in relation to the car to ensure that the vehicle drives straight without any pulls. Wheel alignment also affects tire wear. If wheels are out of alignment, it can cause tires to scrub and wear out prematurely. Today we’ll talk about how a wheel alignment is performed, signs you may need one, and how often you should have your alignment checked.

Signs you need an alignment

Your Car Pulls to One Side

If your car is pulling to one side or the other, it’s important to have your alignment checked. Steering while the vehicle is pulling you in a direction you don’t want to go is not only annoying, it’s unsafe for you and the other drivers on the road! A vehicle pulling to one side can be caused by impacts to the suspension or loose parts, but a suspension check and alignment will often fix the problem.

Your Steering Wheel is Off Center

If your steering wheel is off center even when you are driving in a straight line, that is a sign you are due for an alignment. Off-center steering wheels make it difficult to tell which direction you will go, especially from a stop or if someone else needs to drive your vehicle. Alignment technicians at Jamie’s Tire & Service can adjust the steering wheel and suspension to ensure it is perfectly straight.

Your Tires are Wearing Unevenly or Quickly

Another common symptom of poor alignment is uneven or rapid tire wear. Uneven wear occurs when the contact patch between the tire and the road is not within manufacturer’s specifications. We often see tires with excessive edge wear or other abnormal wear patterns on the tires, indicating the vehicle needs and alignment. Tires will also wear out more quickly if the vehicle is not properly aligned, leading to more frequent replacement costs.

Your Steering Is Loose and Uncontrollable

If your steering feels like you can’t predictably control it, it may be a sign of loose suspension parts or that you need an alignment. When wheels are aligned against each other or in a way where the contact patch of the tire is not fully in planted on the road, the steering can feel loose or unstable.

How Often Should you Check Your Alignment

Because alignment affects tire wear, steering, and safety, it is recommended that drivers check their alignments during regular preventative maintenance; once a year or every 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. Normal wear and tear from daily driving can cause alignments to slowly go out of specifications, and parts like shocks and struts sag over time, but annual checks can make sure everything is properly aligned. Making smaller adjustments regularly and will save you time and money in the long run.

What Happens During a Wheel Alignment

When you schedule your car for a wheel alignment, technicians use special equipment and computers to measure the angle of each wheel on the vehicle and adjust them to factory specifications. At Jamie’s Tire & Service, we use hunter alignment machines, which use lasers and guides that tell us how to adjust the camber, caster, and toe on the vehicle. Sometimes parts like tie rods become seized due to corrosion, and require extra work to break them free so they can be adjusted. By the end of the alignment, we have the car perfectly aligned with sheets for measurements before and after the alignment started.

How Much Does an Alignment Cost?

Standard Alignment Cost

There are several different alignment options at Jamie’s Tire & Service. Standard Wheel Alignments for most cars and light trucks cost $119.99. This covers the time and labor to bring the car in, measure the camber, caster, and toe of each wheel on the vehicle, and adjust them into proper specifications. We also offer alignment checks

Alignment Check Cost

An alignment check is a great option for your yearly inspection to make sure everything is properly aligned. Alignment checks cost $49.95. If we find that the vehicle does need aligned and you decide to proceed, that cost goes towards the alignment performed.

Free Alignment Check with 4 Tires

When you purchase 4 tires from Jamie’s Tire & Service, we provide alignment checks for free to help you get the most out of your tires. Performing an alignment check when you install new tires is the best time to make sure everything is in alignment. Premature tire wear will cost you money as you replace tires more often.

How Long Does an Alignment Take?

Alignments normally take less than an hour, but there are several factors that affect how long it takes to perform the job. With age, especially in places like Dayton, Ohio where salt causes corrosion, it can be difficult to adjust parts like tie rods and camber adjustment bolts. When this happens, it often requires using a torch to heat parts, penetrating oil to lubricate things, and additional time and labor to get everything into specs. This can cause alignments to take longer, but we normally recommend planning for an hour to get the job done.

Ready for an alignment on your car? Call Jamie’s Tire & Service!

If your vehicle has any of the symptoms we’ve mentioned above, or it’s been over a year since your last alignment check, it would be beneficial to check and align your vehicle if needed. Our experienced team of ASE certified technicians is here to help you keep your vehicle running at its best. Each of our full-service auto repair centers is equipped with alignment machines to give you the most accurate alignment possible and keep you safe on the road. Jamie's Tire & Service is here for all your auto repair and mechanic needs, so don't hesitate to give us a call. We'd be happy to answer your questions and get you the information you need to make the best decision for your car. Since we opened our first store in 1975, Jamie's Tire & Service has been Dayton's trusted shop for alignments, tires, and auto repair.

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