Wheel Alignment Near Me

What Is an Alignment and Why Do You Need One for Your Vehicle?

Your vehicle's suspension system is responsible for merging your vehicle with its wheels, providing expert handling and control, as well as a smooth ride that cushions the bumps of the road. When a wheel alignment is performed, a service technician will make adjustments to your suspension system to ensure it's performing its job optimally. Unlike a tire rotation, which focuses on your vehicle's tires, a wheel alignment takes into consideration each tire's angle and how it meets the road with maximum precision.

There are multiple points that a skilled technician will address during a wheel alignment. Camber refers to the angle of your tires when looking at your vehicle head-on. If there's too much tilt, either inward or outward, this means that there's an issue with their alignment that needs to be fixed. Toe is the view of your tire angles from above. If it's evident that your tires are turned into each other or away from each other instead of pointing straight ahead, an adjustment will need to be made. Finally, Caster refers to the angle of your tires when viewed from your vehicle's side. Caster is important because it's responsible for steering, stability, and overall handling around corners. If the steering axis is tilted toward or away from the driver, this means that an alignment is necessary.

When you fail to have a wheel alignment performed on your vehicle, you run the risk of uneven tread wear, and when your tires are wearing unevenly, this can cause issues on the road. Not only will it make for increased wear and tear on your tires, resulting in replacements being needed more frequently, but it can also cause unsafe driving conditions. Reduced traction, control, and handling can occur, and you may also be making more frequent stops at the gas station, as this can majorly affect fuel efficiency.

How to Tell If You Need an Alignment

There are telltale signs that something is amiss with your vehicle. Your car will not hide things from you, which is why it's important to pay attention and address any small issues before they become big problems. As mentioned above, uneven tread wear is a top sign of something wrong with your vehicle's alignment. You may also begin to notice your steering wheel pulling to the side when you're driving down a straight road, or your vehicle may begin to vibrate, which can be felt on your steering wheel. Your tires may squeal, or you may notice that steering has become noisier; these are clues to let you know that it's time to bring your vehicle in for service.

Knowing whether or not a wheel alignment is necessary can also be determined by taking a closer look at your tires. You may notice the tread on your tires being smoother on one side compared to the other, which is known as feathering. The outside or inside of your tire tread may also be worn, which is known as camber wear. A quick check of the tread wear patterns on your tires will show you a lot more than you may realize. Of course, this is something that is recommended to leave to the professionals since they know what to look for and can diagnose any issues accordingly.

It's also recommended to get a wheel alignment when you have made significant changes to your vehicle's suspension. This includes installing a lift kit or a new suspension system and also when you get new tires placed on your vehicle. Wheel alignments will be performed in regular intervals based on your driving habits, and this can be determined by partnering with a service center that is well-versed in working on a variety of makes and models.

Other Important Services You Can Do When Getting an Alignment

When bringing your vehicle in for alignment, you can also take advantage of the other fantastic services available for your trusted traveler. Here at Spirit Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we offer an assortment of services to help you remain safe and comfortable on the road. Have our service techs check your battery, brakes, and fluid levels while you're here for your alignment to ensure all is working properly. You may also want to have vehicle diagnostics performed to check for any potential issues before they begin impacting your ride.

From filters to fluids, preventative maintenance, and more, it's highly beneficial to have your car checked out, even if you're just in for a wheel alignment. You may also want your service tech to examine your tires to be sure they don't need to be replaced. If you're considering modifying your vehicle in any way, this is a great time to speak with a service pro and see what your options are to make your vehicle perform exactly how you've always envisioned. The Spirit team is ready to provide virtually any service imaginable for your vehicle while you're here, whether it's just a routine oil change, a repair, or something else, which makes us the go-to team to trust when your vehicle's integrity matters.

Our Expert Service Department Is Here to Service Any Make and Model

We mentioned earlier that it helps to partner with a service department that is well-versed in working on all makes and models of vehicles, which is exactly what you can expect from us. Whether you have a brand-new SUV or a pre-owned truck, rest assured that our certified technicians are ready and eager to help you with your wheel alignment and much more. We strive to keep up with all the latest advancements in the automotive industry with top-level training, and we always remain stocked with high-quality parts to ensure your vehicle is operating as it should at all times.

We invite you to stop by and explore our facility and chat with our team to see what we have to offer to make your time on the road safer and more enjoyable. Our team will help you figure out what types of maintenance services need to be performed on your vehicle, as well as help you fit maintenance into your budget with ease. With convenient scheduling, flexible hours, rental vehicles available, and more perks along the way, it's easy to choose the Spirit team when the quality of your vehicle and its performance are top priorities.