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.
The Hidden Costs of Misalignment
While an immediate alignment issue can be uncomfortable, the long-term consequences are far more costly. When your wheels are out of alignment, your tires don’t make proper contact with the road. This leads to uneven and accelerated tire wear, which can drastically shorten the life of your tires. In severe cases, poor alignment can even lead to dangerous tire blowouts. Keeping your car aligned is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your tire investment.
Pay close attention to these common symptoms that suggest your vehicle might need an alignment service:
- Uneven Tire Wear: This is often the most obvious sign. You might notice that the tread on one side of a tire is more worn than the other, or see a scalloped or "cupped" pattern on the tire's surface.
- A Crooked Steering Wheel: If you're driving in a straight line on a flat road, but your steering wheel is off-center, your alignment is likely off.
- Drifting or Pulling: Does your vehicle consistently drift or pull to the left or right when you're trying to drive straight? This is a classic symptom of a misaligned suspension.
- Vibrations and Shudders: A shaking steering wheel or floorboard, especially at higher speeds, can be a sign of a number of issues, including an alignment problem.
- Poor Handling: If your vehicle feels less responsive, unstable, or "loose" while driving, it could be due to an improper alignment.
The Benefits of Wheel Alignment
Correctly aligned wheels do more than just prevent uneven tire wear. When your vehicle is properly aligned, it improves fuel efficiency because there's less rolling resistance. It also reduces unnecessary stress on your steering and suspension components, which helps extend their lifespan. For these reasons, we recommend a professional alignment check every 6,000 miles or twice a year as part of your regular maintenance routine. A simple check can save you from more costly repairs down the road.
At Christian Brothers Automotive Lakeville, we're committed to more than just fixing cars; we're dedicated to providing exceptional customer service. Our approach is built on trust and transparency. We’ll explain exactly what your vehicle needs and why, so you can make an informed decision.
Your Trusted Partner in Lakeville
We are proud to serve the Lakeville community with a commitment to integrity and excellence. When you bring your car to us for an alignment, you can trust that it's in the hands of experienced professionals who care about your safety. Whether you’ve recently hit a pothole, been in a minor fender-bender, or simply haven't had an alignment check in a while, give us a call. We're here to help you get back on the road with a car that drives straight and true, ensuring a smooth and safe journey every time.
Is your vehicle pulling to one side? Get a professional wheel alignment in Lakeville to ensure your safety and extend tire life. Book a service online or call (952) 260-7646 today.
Your Local Christian Brothers Amenities
FAQs
-
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.
-
Q. "How often should I get a wheel alignment?"We recommend every 6,000 miles or when you experience signs of misalignment.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
"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.