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.
Common Signs You Might Need a Wheel Alignment
Recognizing early warning signs lets you avoid costly repairs and protect your car’s value.
Look for these common alignment issues:
- Pulling to One Side: If your vehicle drifts to the left or right while you’re driving straight.
- Uneven Tire Wear: Unusual wear on the inside or outside of your tires points to likely misalignment.
- Off-Center Steering Wheel: A steering wheel that sits crooked when you’re heading straight often signals alignment needs.
- Steering Wheel Vibration: Shaking or vibrations that grow stronger with speed can indicate alignment or balance issues.
When you notice one or more of these symptoms, call for a diagnostic check to catch problems before they get worse.
In Ohio, sudden changes from winter weather or construction can make these problems appear quickly. After driving through new potholes or local work zones, check your car’s steering and tires for changes. Immediate action helps avoid bigger repair bills and keeps you safe year-round.
Adding an alignment check to regular tire rotations or replacements streamlines your car care and keeps every part of your vehicle working together. This approach helps maintain both safety and performance on every Columbus road.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should I Get My Wheels Aligned?
Most drivers should align their wheels every 6,000 miles or by following their owner’s manual recommendations. If you drive on rough roads or hit a major pothole, schedule a check sooner. Regular alignment helps your vehicle run smoothly, protects tires, and promotes safer driving.
What Are the Benefits of Wheel Alignment?
Wheel alignment improves fuel economy, allows tires to wear evenly, and keeps your vehicle handling well. Regular alignments reduce steering strain and often help you get the most value from your tires and suspension.
What Causes Wheel Misalignment?
Wheel misalignment happens after hitting potholes, curbs, or being involved in accidents. Regular wear or carrying heavy loads can also knock wheels out of position. Routine checks keep your vehicle on track and your driving experience safe.
Is Wheel Alignment Included in Routine Maintenance?
Most standard maintenance packages do not include alignment, so request this service specifically. Adding alignment checks to your regular routine helps you spot early issues and prevent unnecessary tire damage.
Can I DIY Wheel Alignment?
While you can attempt small adjustments at home, achieving precise alignment needs specialized equipment and technical skill. At Christian Brothers Automotive Blendon Woods, our technicians use advanced alignment tools to accurately restore manufacturer-recommended settings and help you maintain safe vehicle performance.
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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"I liked the customer service and going above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable while waiting in the store for my vehicle work to be done, specifically being offered a nice hot coffee with creamer."
- J.L.