What to Expect With an Alignment
1. Schedule Your Appointment
Whether scheduling online or over the phone be sure and let us know what you're experiencing so we can provide fast and accurate service advice.
2. Diagnostics and Inspections
Drop off your vehicle and the shop will get to work with inspections and diagnostics using the same equipment as the manufacturers to determine issues and next steps.
3. Digital Vehicle Inspection Report and Estimate
Following the diagnosis we will text you a digital vehicle inspection report, containing pictures and videos of our findings and recommendations.
4. Review and Approval
A service advisor will reach out to walk you through the findings and recommendations to determine how you would like to proceed, or you can approve work directly in your DVI.
5. Work Performed or Scheduled
Most work can be completed immediately, or scheduled based on parts and customer availability.
If you're concerned about the tread on your tires, we recommend the “penny test” to check your tread depth. Simply insert a penny into your tire's tread groove with Lincoln's head upside down and facing you. If you can see all of Lincoln's head, your tread depth is less than 2/32 inch and it's time to replace your tires.
Signs Your Vehicle Needs an Alignment Service
Your vehicle often communicates when it is suffering from misalignment through changes in handling and tire condition. Ignoring these warning signs can lead to expensive repairs and safety hazards, especially during wet or icy conditions. Being aware of how your car feels on the road is the first step in proactive maintenance.
If you notice any of the following symptoms, it is time to schedule a service:
- Vehicle Pulling: Your car drifts to the left or right when you are trying to drive straight on a level road.
- Crooked Steering Wheel: The steering emblem is not centered when your wheels are pointed straight ahead.
- Uneven Tire Wear: You see excessive wear on the inside or outside edges of your tires, often called "feathering."
- Squealing Tires: You hear unusual screeching noises from your tires when turning at low speeds.
- Vibration: You feel a shimmy or vibration in the steering wheel, indicating potential suspension or wheel issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Wheel Alignment Critical for Safety?
Proper alignment is fundamental to your vehicle's safety because it dictates how your tires grip the road. Misaligned wheels can reduce traction and compromise handling, making it difficult to control the vehicle during emergency maneuvers or bad weather. In Avon Lake, where rain and snow are common, ensuring your tires meet the road at the correct angle maximizes your stopping power and stability.
Additionally, correct alignment prevents the vehicle from pulling to one side, which reduces driver fatigue on longer trips. Keeping your vehicle aligned ensures that your safety systems, such as stability control, function as intended. We recommend regular checks to maintain this vital safety baseline for you and your passengers.
How Often Should I Check My Alignment?
We generally recommend having your alignment checked every 12 months or every 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. However, local driving conditions in Avon Lake may necessitate more frequent inspections, especially if you frequently drive on pothole-ridden roads or hit a curb. If you install new tires or have suspension work done, an alignment is mandatory to protect those investments.
Routine checks allow us to catch minor deviations before they cause significant tire wear. Proactive maintenance is always more cost-effective than replacing a set of tires prematurely. Consult your owner’s manual or ask our technicians for a schedule tailored to your specific driving habits.
Can Alignment Improve Fuel Efficiency?
Yes, a proper alignment service can significantly improve your fuel efficiency. When wheels are not aligned, they fight against each other, creating increased rolling resistance. This resistance forces your engine to work harder and burn more fuel to move the vehicle forward, effectively lowering your miles per gallon.
By ensuring all four wheels are parallel and rolling smoothly, we reduce this friction. The result is a more efficient vehicle that saves you money at the gas pump over time. For drivers who commute daily, these savings can add up quickly, making the cost of an alignment a wise investment.
What is the Difference Between 2-Wheel and 4-Wheel Alignment?
A 2-wheel or front-end alignment only adjusts the front wheels, which is common for older vehicles or trucks with a solid rear axle. A four-wheel alignment adjusts all four wheels relative to the vehicle's centerline. Most modern cars, SUVs, and trucks require a four-wheel alignment because they are equipped with independent rear suspensions.
We determine the correct service based on your vehicle's manufacturer requirements. Performing the correct type of alignment is crucial to prevent "dog tracking," where the rear of the vehicle sits at an angle to the front. Our technicians will always verify your vehicle type to ensure the service is performed correctly.
Does Your Service Include a Warranty?
Yes, we stand behind our workmanship with a robust warranty that gives you confidence in our services. Our industry-leading warranty covers our alignment services, ensuring that if you experience issues related to our work, we will make it right. This commitment to quality reflects our dedication to the Avon Lake community.
We believe that peace of mind is part of the service. You should not have to worry about the reliability of your repairs once you leave our shop. Detailed warranty terms will be provided during your visit, ensuring you understand the full extent of your coverage.
Schedule Your Alignment Service Today
At Christian Brothers Automotive Avon, we are dedicated to helping you get the most out of your vehicle through expert care and precise maintenance. Our wheel alignment services in Avon Lake, OH, restore your vehicle's stability, protect your tires, and improve your overall driving safety. We combine technical expertise with a customer-first philosophy to deliver an experience that exceeds your expectations.
Take the next step toward a smoother, safer ride by trusting our ASE-certified technicians with your vehicle.
Call us at (440) 762-7266 or contact us online to schedule your appointment and experience the difference of professional local care.
Your Local Christian Brothers Amenities
FAQs
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Q. "What is the difference between a wheel alignment and a wheel balance?"Wheel alignment is the term for how your wheels sit when mounted to your car and wheel balancing is what’s done to perfectly balance the weight of a tire and wheel assembly so that it travels evenly.
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Q. "How often should I get a wheel alignment?"We recommend every 6,000 miles or when you experience signs of misalignment.
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Q. "What causes bad alignment?"Normal wear and tear can eventually cause your car to come out of alignment, but perhaps a more sudden occurrence would be things like hitting potholes, bumping curbs, or even minor accidents. Click here to read more on the causes and consequences of bad alignment.
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Q. "Do you offer a shuttle service?"Yes! we understand you have a full schedule. Whether you need to get to work, school, or need to attend to other responsibilities, we can take you where you need to go. Click here to learn more.
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Q. "Do you offer a warranty?"As part of our Nice difference.® commitment to providing our customers the best auto service experience possible, we also offer a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty on all the work that we do. We offer this warranty at every Christian Brothers Automotive nationwide, and it will be honored at any location, regardless of which branch did the initial work.
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Q. "Can you provide service under my extended warranty?"Yes. At Christian Brothers Automotive, we work with all major extended warranty providers to make needed repairs for our customers. If you have an extended warranty, you can discuss your carrier with our team when scheduling an appointment and confirm that the work will be covered. You can find a partial list of the extended warranty companies we work with here.
Have more Questions?
Our friendly auto service experts have the answers.
Call your local Christian Brothers Automotive car shop today
Hear What Our Customers Had to Say About Us
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"1) Picked up and dropped off at work jc rocked! Just saying.. :) 2). My type A personality worked just fine with these guys, they have the kind of professional PATIENCE i need. 3.) My car was assessed, quote was written up, sent via the awesome software th"
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