How often should a wheel alignment be done?

A wheel alignment should typically be done every 6,000 to 10,000 miles or at least once a year, depending on your driving style and road conditions. Some mechanics recommend having your wheel alignment checked every other oil change to ensure your tires wear evenly and your car handles correctly.

When to Get a Wheel Alignment:

• After hitting a pothole, curb, or road debris
• If your car pulls to one side while driving
• When you notice uneven or rapid tire wear
• If your steering wheel is crooked when driving straight
• After installing new tires or suspension components

Why It’s Important:

Regular wheel alignments help:

• Improve handling and safety
• Extend tire life
• Boost fuel efficiency
• Prevent suspension damage

Tip: If you drive on rough or unpaved roads frequently, you may need alignments more often.

Wondering about how often should a wheel alignment be done? Call our ASE Certified Mechanics at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about front alignment and to request an appointment. Our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

What Causes Car Alignment Problems?

Experienced drivers understand why it’s important to maintain the correct wheel alignment on their vehicles. They know that they will experience better traction and grip on the road in most situations, while also helping the tread on their tires to wear evenly at a normal rate.  It also means that all four tires are moving at the same speed and pointed in the same direction as the steering wheel.   

So what causes car alignment problems?  Some of the most common causes include:

1. Hitting Curbs and Potholes: Impact with curbs or potholes can jolt the suspension system and cause alignment issues.
2. Wear and Tear: Over time, parts of the suspension and steering systems can wear out, leading to misalignment.
3. Accidents: Collisions, even minor ones, can affect the alignment of a vehicle.
4. Poor Maintenance: Failing to maintain the vehicle properly, such as not changing worn-out components, can lead to alignment issues.
5. Modifications: Installing aftermarket components or making modifications to the suspension can sometimes result in improper alignment if not done properly.
6. Tire Wear: Uneven tire wear can both cause and be a symptom of alignment problems. Worn-out tires can replace the way a car sits and drives.
7. Driving styles: Aggressive driving, such as taking turns too quickly or driving over speed bumps too fast, can affect alignment.
8. Poor Road Conditions: Frequently driving on rough or uneven roads can lead to alignment problems over time.

A word to the wise:  Have the wheel alignment inspected about 6 to 12 months—more often if you have been driving constantly on bumpy roads if the tire tread is wearing unevenly, if the rubber is looking worn, or if you are struggling with the steering and control of your vehicle. 

Wondering about what causes car alignment problems?  Call our ASE Certified Mechanics at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about wheel alignment and to request an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

What Causes Car Alignment Problems?

Experienced drivers understand why it’s important to maintain the proper wheel alignment on their vehicles. They know that they will experience better traction and grip on the road in most situations, while also helping the tread on their tires to wear evenly at a normal rate. It means that your tires are rolling down the road together at the same speed and direction.  

So what causes car alignment problems? The situations listed below are common situations for many drivers; any of them can cause your car to lose its wheel alignment:

1. Poor road conditions. Driving over rough terrain, roads filled with potholes and ruts, running over a curb, going too fast over a speed bump, or hitting other obstacles in the road.
2. Worn-out suspension parts. As shocks become worn and loose, your car is no longer stable but may bounce excessively when you hit bumps in the road.
3. Vehicle modifications. After-market modifications to vehicles, such as lifting the height or adjusting the suspension, make a wheel alignment service compulsory.
4. New Tires.  Installing new tires may require a different alignment than your old tires.
5. Auto Accident.  Whether a minor fender-bender or a major crash, the wheel alignment can be thrown off.

Here is why it’s so important to maintain the correct wheel alignment:  

• Your tires will last longer, wearing more evenly all around, 
• Improve fuel efficiency to help save money at the pump, 
• Damage to shocks and car axles is unlikely, and 
• Your trip will be more relaxed and smooth. 

A word to the wise:  Have the wheel alignment inspected about 6 to 12 months—more often if you have been driving consistently on bumpy roads if the tire tread is wearing unevenly, if the rubber is looking worn, or if you’re struggling with the steering and control of your vehicle. 

Still worried about what causes car alignment problems?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive for more information about wheel alignment and to request an appointment. Our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

Wonder How Often Should Car Alignment Be Done?

This is a question many drivers find themselves asking their auto mechanic. The signs of a misaligned car and tires out of balance are so similar it’s difficult for the average driver to know the difference.  Be sure to ask your auto mechanic to inspect the wheel balancing as well as the alignment as these problems are more damaging than one would think.  And of course, as with many other problems, some types of damage are irreparable!

How often should car alignment be done, and what does it mean when your car is out of alignment?  Out of alignment simply means that your car’s tires are pointing not in the same direction as the steering wheel.  And what does it mean when your tires are out of balance?  It means that the weight around the tire is unevenly distributed.  Have your wheel balancing and alignment inspected whenever you start to feel issues?  The cost of correcting the alignment or balance is much less than a new set of tires or changing shocks!

Although wheel alignment issues can develop as the miles add up on your car, they are more likely to be caused by a specific incident, such as going over speed bumps and potholes too fast, hitting a curb, driving consistently on rough roads, or an auto accident, even a minor fender-bender.  

If your tires are out of balance or misaligned, these problems may present themselves as you drive down the road:

• You feel the steering wheel and seat noticeably vibrate.
• Your tire tread is wearing faster than normal in an uneven pattern.
• Fewer miles per gallon.
• Your vehicle pulls to one side or other of the road.
• The steering wheel may feel loose and is crooked while driving straight.

Wondering how often should car alignment be done?  Call our ASE Certified Mechanics at Clausen Automotive for more information about wheel balancing and alignment services and to request an appointment. Our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.