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 Car Needs an Alignment
Here are some signs to look out for to know if your car needs an alignment:
- Your vehicle pulls to one side while driving.
- The steering wheel is off-center when driving straight.
- Uneven or rapid tire wear.
- Vibrations in the steering wheel.
Addressing these signs early saves you from costly repairs down the road. It also reduces the likelihood of encountering more serious problems, such as compromised steering control. We recommend taking prompt action when noticing these signs to maintain optimum safety and performance levels.
Our Wheel Alignment Process
Our alignment process is thorough and precise.
You can expect:
- Initial Inspection: We assess your vehicle's current alignment and identify any issues.
- Adjustment: Using advanced equipment, we adjust the angles of your wheels to the manufacturer's specifications.
- Final Check: We perform a final inspection to ensure everything is perfectly aligned.
Our comprehensive approach guarantees that your vehicle surpasses standard safety checks. We use technologically advanced tools and methodologies, ensuring adjustments align with manufacturer standards. This meticulous process aims to deliver long-lasting results and peace of mind.
Benefits of Regular Car Alignments
Wheel alignment is crucial for your safety on the road. Misaligned wheels can lead to poor handling, increased stopping distances, and a higher risk of accidents. Ensuring your wheels are correctly aligned helps maintain control and stability, especially in emergencies.
Regular car alignment offers numerous benefits, including:
- Improved Safety: Proper alignment ensures better handling and control of your vehicle.
- Extended Tire Life: Even tire wear reduces the need for frequent replacements.
- Enhanced Fuel Efficiency: Correct alignment reduces rolling resistance, improving fuel economy.
- Smoother Ride: Experience a more comfortable and stable drive.
Beyond these immediate practical benefits, routine alignment checks also contribute to the sustainability of your vehicle investment. They help in maintaining the vehicle's resale value by ensuring core components are in optimal working condition.
If you notice any of these signs, it's time to schedule an alignment service with us. Contact us at (719) 414-2105 or online today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do Local Roads Affect Car Alignment?
In Colorado Springs, road conditions vary significantly between urban streets and rural or mountainous roads. The frequent transitions between these types of roads can cause misalignments. Urban areas may have pothole-filled streets after winter, while rural and mountainous roads often present uneven and rocky surfaces.
Regular alignment checks can mitigate the adverse effects these conditions can have on your vehicle. Additionally, the steep inclines often encountered in the area put extra pressure on the suspension system, a component integrally linked to alignment.
Do Seasonal Changes Impact Alignment Needs?
Indeed, the changing seasons in Colorado Springs directly impact alignment needs. Winters can be harsh, leading to more significant road wear and tear, while transitions to spring and fall see a rise in moisture levels, affecting road surfaces.
Alignment may shift as tires and suspension components respond to these changing conditions. Hence, aligning your vehicle as the seasons change is a wise practice.
What Causes Tire Alignment Issues?
Several factors can lead to tire alignment issues, including:
- Hitting curbs or potholes.
- Worn suspension components.
- Accidents or collisions.
- Regular wear and tear over time.
Each of these factors can independently or collectively cause misalignment. Understanding them helps you take more informed preventive measures. For instance, navigating carefully around potholes and maintaining proper tire pressure can help reduce unexpected tire alignment shifts.
How Often Should Car Alignment Be Checked?
Regular alignment checks are crucial for maintaining your vehicle's performance and safety. We recommend checking your car's alignment at least once a year or every 10,000 miles. However, if you frequently drive on rough Colorado Springs roads or have recently hit a curb or pothole, it's wise to check it sooner.
Regular checks can prevent uneven tire wear, reduce suspension issues, and promote a more efficient fuel economy by ensuring the wheels work synergistically with the vehicle's propulsion system. By staying on top of alignments, you're also preserving the longevity of your vehicle components and ensuring a more comfortable driving experience.
What Maintenance Practices Enhance Alignment Longevity?
Routine maintenance practices, such as maintaining proper tire pressure, rotating tires, and checking suspension components, are critical in preserving alignment. Keeping an eye on overall vehicle weight distribution by avoiding excessive load in one area further contributes to sustaining alignment.
Scheduling regular alignment checks every year helps identify and correct discrepancies that might arise due to particular driving conditions in Colorado Springs.
What Are Common Misconceptions About Vehicle Alignment?
A common misconception is that alignment issues are solely related to steering problems. While steering issues are a key indicator, misalignments are often subtle initially, manifesting as gradual tire wear or slight drifting on a flat road.
Another myth is that once a car's alignment is set, it's permanent until visibly disturbed. In reality, alignment can be affected over time due to small but consistent stresses encountered during regular driving, especially in shifting Colorado Springs road conditions.
How Does Alignment Affect Driving Comfort?
Proper alignment is central to enhancing driving comfort and vehicle control. When wheels are aligned accurately, the vehicle tracks straight without requiring continuous steering adjustments, ensuring stability at higher speeds and a smoother ride overall.
Misalignment, in contrast, may lead to excessive vibrations or a perceived pull to one side, resulting in driver fatigue and discomfort. Owing to the beautiful yet rugged landscapes of Colorado Springs, achieving proper alignment aids in making the most out of drives, whether they are through scenic routes or during daily commutes.
Contact us now and find out why we are the best solution for your car!
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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"As soon as you walk in you Can feel the difference! You are greeted with a courteous and polite smile, the atmosphere and setting Is cozy,. The attention to detail In all aspects is like non-other experience at an auto shop! The attentiveness And customer "
- Laura