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 Often Should Car Alignment Be Checked?
We recommend checking your vehicle’s alignment at least once a year or every 10,000 miles. If you frequently drive on rough roads or have recently hit a curb or pothole, check it sooner. Routine alignment checks also improve fuel efficiency, extend tire life, and help identify developing suspension issues before they turn into costly repairs.
Signs Your Car Needs an Alignment
Watch for these warning signs:
- 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.
Left unaddressed, these symptoms can compromise vehicle stability and increase risk during emergency maneuvers. They also accelerate tire wear and shorten the life of your suspension system.
The Benefits of Regular Tire Alignment
Regular tire alignment offers real, measurable advantages:
- Improved Safety: Proper alignment supports better handling and control, especially in emergency situations.
- 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.
A well-aligned vehicle also reduces steering correction fatigue on your daily commute. You won’t need to constantly make small adjustments to keep the car tracking straight, which can ease long-term wear on your steering system.
What Causes Car Alignment Issues?
Common causes include:
- Hitting curbs or potholes.
- Worn suspension components.
- Accidents or collisions.
- Regular wear and tear over time.
Staying aware of road conditions, avoiding sudden impacts, and keeping up with routine maintenance can reduce the likelihood of alignment problems and support your vehicle’s long-term health.
Our Alignment Process
Our ASE-certified technicians work through a structured three-step sequence using computerized alignment technology that can detect misalignment as small as one-tenth of a degree. This precision matters when restoring your vehicle to original manufacturer settings.
- Initial Inspection: We assess your vehicle’s current alignment status and identify any issues.
- Adjustment: Using computerized alignment technology, we adjust the wheel angles, including camber, caster, and toe, to original manufacturer settings.
- Final Check: We perform a final inspection to confirm everything is properly aligned before your vehicle leaves our shop.
This approach helps your vehicle drive straight, helps your tires contact the road correctly, and restores your suspension geometry to proper alignment.
Types of Alignment Services We Offer
Not every vehicle requires the same alignment service. Our technicians assess your vehicle’s suspension configuration and driving history to recommend the right approach.
- Basic Alignment Check: An inspection of your current alignment status. The right starting point when symptoms are present but the extent of any misalignment is unknown.
- Front-End Alignment: Adjusts the angles of the two front wheels. This service applies to vehicles without independent rear suspension, where only the front axle requires correction.
- Four-Wheel Alignment: Adjusts all four wheels to manufacturer specifications. Vehicles with independent rear suspension or all-wheel drive require this service for complete correction.
- Thrust Angle Alignment: Confirms that the rear axle is squared with the vehicle centerline so all four wheels track in the same direction. Recommended after a rear-end impact or suspension repairs that may have shifted the rear axle out of position.
Ready to schedule your wheel alignment in Alpharetta? Contact us today and experience the difference of service built around you.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Should I Get My Tires Aligned in Alpharetta?
Have your alignment checked every 10,000 miles or annually, more often if your driving includes frequent trips on GA-400 or through active construction zones. Staying current helps prevent minor misalignments from developing into handling problems that can be more expensive to correct.
How Does Car Alignment Affect Fuel Efficiency?
Misaligned wheels increase rolling resistance, forcing your engine to work harder and burn more fuel. That inefficiency is especially noticeable in the stop-and-go traffic common around Alpharetta. Keeping alignment on point minimizes unnecessary resistance and can help reduce your vehicle’s emissions over time.
What Are the Consequences of Skipping Regular Alignments?
Neglected alignment leads to uneven tire wear, reduced fuel efficiency, and compromised handling. Misaligned wheels also affect braking and steering precision, which matters most when you need it. Regular alignments can extend the life of your tires and suspension system. Pairing your alignment with a tire rotation can extend tire life further and improve overall performance.
How Is Wheel Alignment Different from Tire Balancing?
They serve different purposes. Alignment adjusts suspension angles so your wheels meet the road at the correct angle. Tire balancing corrects weight distribution within each wheel-and-tire assembly to eliminate vibration. Alignment should be part of regular maintenance; balancing is typically needed when new tires are mounted or when you notice vibration at speed.
Are There Seasonal Benefits to Regular Alignment Services?
Yes. In Alpharetta, autumn and winter bring fallen leaves, wet pavement, and slick surfaces that demand more from your vehicle’s handling. Proper alignment helps keep your car tracking predictably in those conditions and promotes even tire wear year-round, supporting both safety and tire longevity.
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.