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.
How To Prepare for Your Alignment Appointment
To prepare for a vehicle alignment, ensure your tires are properly inflated and remove any heavy, non-permanent cargo from your trunk. Extra weight can alter your vehicle's ride height, potentially leading to inaccurate measurements. Please also note any recent suspension repairs or specific symptoms, like an off-center steering wheel, so our ASE-certified technicians can focus on the areas that matter most to you.
Sharing your typical driving habits helps us tailor your car alignment to the local terrain. Whether you're frequently navigating the construction zones on Highway 52 or commuting through city streets with deep potholes, these environmental factors influence how your suspension settles. Providing this context allows us to recommend either a front-end adjustment or a comprehensive 4-wheel alignment that matches your real-world needs.
During your appointment, we measure critical angles—camber, caster, and toe—using advanced digital sensors. We prioritize transparency by showing you specific tire wear patterns and explaining our findings in plain language before any adjustments begin. This collaborative approach ensures you understand how restoring your tire alignment protects your vehicle’s safety, improves fuel efficiency, and prevents secondary wear on expensive steering components.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Wheel Alignment and Why Does It Matter?
Wheel alignment involves adjusting the angles of the wheels so that they are perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another. Proper alignment is important because it reduces tire wear, improves fuel efficiency, ensures safer handling, and provides a smoother ride.
At Christian Brothers Automotive Inver Grove Heights, we understand the intricacies of wheel alignment and make sure your vehicle is calibrated correctly to protect both your investment and safety.
How Do I Know If I Need a Wheel Alignment?
Several signs indicate that your vehicle may need an alignment. Look out for uneven tire wear, the vehicle pulling to one side, a crooked steering wheel when driving straight, or experiencing vibrations in the steering wheel.
If you encounter any of these issues, it's essential to schedule a professional alignment check to prevent further damage and maintain peak vehicle performance.
Can I Perform a Wheel Alignment at Home?
While minor adjustments might seem doable at home, wheel alignment is a complex process that requires precision equipment found in professional automotive shops. Our ASE-certified technicians use precise tools and procedures to ensure accurate alignment, maximizing your vehicle's safety and lifespan.
Conducting these procedures in a shop environment ensures every angle and measurement meets manufacturer standards.
How Often Should Wheel Alignment Be Done?
Industry recommendations often suggest having a wheel alignment service periodically, such as around every 10,000 miles or about once a year. However, this can vary depending on driving habits, road conditions, and the age of the vehicle.
Frequent alignment checks ensure that you catch misalignment early, preventing excessive tire wear and maintaining optimal vehicle safety and performance.
What Are the Signs of Misalignment?
Common signs include uneven tire wear, a vehicle pulling to the left or right, an off-center steering wheel, and vibrations while driving. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult with Christian Brothers Automotive Inver Grove Heights to perform a comprehensive alignment check. This preventative measure can save you time, tires, and money in the long run.
Addressing these signs promptly can prevent further damage to your vehicle’s suspension and steering components, maintaining overall vehicular health and optimal performance.
What Impacts Wheel Alignment?
Potholes, curbs, and everyday wear can all affect wheel alignment. Additionally, modifications such as new suspension systems, tires, or rims can alter alignment settings.
Being mindful of these factors and scheduling regular checks helps prevent alignment issues from affecting vehicle control and safety.
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.