Car alignment: when to service and at what cost?
Ah, Quebec! A winter paradise, but also one of bumpy, cracked and potholed roads! Over time, vehicles take a lot of knocks and wear out prematurely. Some start to vibrate or make suspicious noises, requiring special maintenance of the wheels, suspension or steering.
In this article, we'll take a closer look at the subject of car alignment, also known as wheel parallelism. Of course, the poor quality of the road network is not the only factor that can require such work on vehicles.
What is a car alignment?
For your car to run safely, all four wheels must be properly adjusted and calibrated to work in unison, whatever the conditions. The manufacturer's engineers have spent many hours finding the right settings for wheel parallelism, camber (vertical adjustment) and caster angle.
When alignment correction is required, technicians won't tackle the tires or wheels themselves, but rather the suspension - the system that connects the vehicle to its wheels. The key is to adjust the angles according to the manufacturer's recommendations, so that the tires maintain the best possible contact with the road.
How do I know if an alignment is necessary?
There are several signs that your car may need alignment, such as pulling to one side while driving, the steering wheel vibrating or not staying straight, or uneven tire tread wear.
A car alignment may also be necessary after an accident or major impact. Also, if you decide to change wheel or tire size, or modify the suspension, the geometry is likely to be affected, and alignment work will be required.
For the rest, to ensure ideal alignment, many workshops and specialists recommend having it adjusted or checked every two years or approximately 50,000 km.
How much does a car alignment cost?
Mechanics can perform wheel alignment at home and save on labor, but it remains a rather technical task, often involving a laser-guided geometry adjustment system, fairly specific measurements and tie-rod adjustment. For professional results, it's best to entrust your vehicle to an experienced technician.
In general, a front-end adjustment is not a lengthy procedure: about an hour is enough. The average cost can therefore vary from $100 to approximately $150, depending on where you do business and whether additional work is required. Considering the costly repercussions of a misalignment that is not quickly corrected, the investment is well worth it.
Why is alignment so important?
As mentioned above, all four wheels of your vehicle need to be properly adjusted and calibrated in order to enjoy safe handling. Alignment ensures a smoother, straighter ride, while helping to reduce tire wear for longer tire life, not to mention avoiding over-consumption of fuel.
