A photo showing a vehicle being readied for a wheel alignment session; how to do a wheel alignment?

How Often Do You Need Tire Alignment for Cars?

Timely tire alignment for cars can increase the longevity of your ride; we've discussed all the factors you need to consider when deciding on the right time for a tire alignment.

If you’re thinking of aligning your tires, contact a professional tire service to get the best results. Tire alignment for cars is a regular requirement for better maintenance of your vehicle's performance. Before we explore how often we need to have alignment, we first need to address what it is and how it works.

What Is a Wheel Alignment?

The name is rather self-explanatory: wheel alignment is simply the aligning of wheels so they don’t bank to one side. If you’re wondering how to do a wheel alignment, the process is rather simple. However, most people rely on professional help for the best results. 

Car being aligned on an alignment apparatus for tire alignment; how long does an alignment take?

But how often should you get an alignment? Let’s first look for the signs of misalignment.

Signs of Incorrect Wheel Alignment

To be able to assess whether or not you should get your wheels aligned, you need to be able to assess early signs of a problem. 

If you’re wondering “do I need an alignment after replacing tires,” we’ll answer it shortly.

For now, here’s what you need to look for:

Vibration

You need to see whether there is unusual vibration in your tires while treading on the road. After some time (2-3 years), gradual damage can lead to vibrations in the tires, and if that is the case, seek expert help immediately.

Tendency To Wander

If the tires start wandering on their own, this is a sign of misalignment.

One Side Pulling

Due to improper wheels alignment, the car can start pulling to one side when going forward at highway speeds.

Instability

On-road instability is another clear symptom of the misalignment of tires.

Tyres Wear Out, But Not Evenly

If the wearing of tires is uneven (you can note this later on), this may be a result of misaligned tires.

Should you get an alignment with new tires? The answer is yes – it is better to be safe than sorry.

Dysfunctional Steering System

Does a failing steering system make you wonder, “is a wheel alignment necessary?”

The answer is yes!

Is the average cost of alignment worth it? Read on to find out:

What Are the Benefits of Wheels Alignment?

Now that you understand the signs of misalignment of tires, you need to move on to the benefits of alignment for cars:

  • Proper tire alignment improves fuel efficiency
  • It allows for a smoother ride
  • It also improves the steering performance
  • You’ll save a huge cost by avoiding often auto repairs
  • Better longevity of the tires

Now, onto the more important question: “how often do I need an alignment?”

How Often Should You Get an Alignment?

The usual span for tire replacement is 2-3 years, depending on your needs. The average wheel alignment cost can help you fix your problem and avoid spending much more on repair work.

How long does an alignment take? The process does not drag on for long but in some cases, it may be necessary to replace the tires. New front and back tires can make a difference in the performance of your vehicle if a simple alignment won’t do.

A photograph of a new truck chassis set up by technicians, showing the tires and alignment

Here are some indicators to help you make a decision about tire replacement (and consequent fresh alignment):

Penny Test

You can put a penny in the tire grooves to check their depth; if the grooves are shallow, you need to replace your tires.

This is one possible answer to when to do wheel alignment.

Quarter Test

This is another variation on the penny test (same thing) for those searching how to check wheel alignment on Google.

Tread Wear Indicator

If the tread wear indicators show signs of trouble (especially uneven wear), you need a new alignment for cars.

Tire Manufacturing Date

Older tires should be replaced if they are no longer able to perform safely.

Do I Need an Alignment after Replacing Tires? 

The answer is yes! This way, you’ll be able to balance your tires’ performance for longer.

And when it comes to buying new tires, you should trust only the most reliable and knowledgeable supplier of products, such as Creamery Tire. Not only do we boast a vast collection, but our customer support staff will help you make the best decision!

Need Help with the Tires and Alignment of Your Vehicle? Get in Touch!

Creamery Tire offers the best tire collection and service in the following areas:

  • Collegeville, PA 
  • Chalfont, PA 
  • Norristown, PA 
  • Phoenixville, PA 
  • Trappe, PA 
  • Doylestown, PA 
  • Kimberton, PA 

And if you’re wondering how much is wheel alignment, we assure you, it's much cheaper than having to replace your tires (if you choose to ignore the damage). Get in touch for quality services!