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 a Wheel Alignment
You can prevent some stressful situations if you are cautious and take proper care of your vehicle. 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.
Ignoring these symptoms can lead to further complications such as increased wear on suspension components and possible danger in harsh weather conditions. Regular inspections can catch these issues early, preventing them from snowballing into expensive repairs or replacements. Maintaining alignment also provides better vehicle stability and handling, enhancing your driving pleasure.
Benefits of Regular Tire Alignment in Midland
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 properly aligned helps maintain control and stability, especially in emergency situations.
Regular wheel 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.
Additionally, a well-aligned vehicle means fewer visits to the mechanic, helping you save on labor costs associated with preventative maintenance. It also contributes to reduced emissions, which is better for the environment, allowing you to contribute to a greener planet while driving efficiently.
Our Comprehensive Tire Alignment Process
Our tire alignment process is thorough and precise.
Here's what 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 commitment to quality ensures your vehicle leaves our shop in optimal condition.
During the alignment process, we pay special attention to the camber, caster, and toe angles of your wheels to ensure each conforms to the ideal standards. This careful calibration not only guarantees improved vehicle handling but also maximizes the lifespan and performance of your tires. By providing a comprehensive report detailing all adjustments made, we offer transparency and confidence in our service.
Christian Brothers Automotive: Your Trusted Alignment Experts ""
Frequently Asked Questions
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 roads or have recently hit a curb or pothole, it's wise to check it sooner.
Incorporating routine alignment checks can save you money in the long term by extending the life of your tires and improving fuel efficiency. Regular checks also help maintain the manufacturer’s warranty on new tires, often requiring proof of alignment maintenance. Additionally, routine alignment ensures your vehicle complies with safety standards, safeguarding you and your passengers.
What Causes Wheel Alignment Issues?
Several factors can lead to alignment issues, including:
- Hitting curbs or potholes.
- Worn suspension components.
- Accidents or collisions.
- Regular wear and tear over time.
Understanding these causes can help you take preventive measures and maintain your vehicle's alignment.
Many alignment problems arise from common road hazards or poor vehicle maintenance habits. Even minor knocks can gradually deteriorate alignment settings. Being proactive by occasionally visually inspecting tires and suspensions for distress can help catch early signs of misalignment.
Keeping a regular maintenance schedule and driving cautiously over rough terrain are practical strategies to avert alignment vulnerabilities.
What Should I Expect During a Wheel Alignment Service?
A wheel alignment service in Midland typically involves an in-depth examination of the vehicle's tire angles, including camber, caster, and toe. A technician will check these angles against the manufacturer's specifications. Following this, a technician makes precise adjustments using advanced alignment machines. The aim is to ensure your tires meet the road at proper angles, ensuring a balanced and steady ride.
Our service at Christian Brothers Automotive Midland also includes a thorough inspection to identify any underlying issues that might affect alignment, such as worn suspension parts or uneven tire tread, providing a comprehensive assessment for better long-term vehicle maintenance.
How Does Alignment Affect Fuel Efficiency?
Proper wheel alignment significantly impacts fuel efficiency. When your wheels are aligned correctly, there is less friction between the tires and the road. This reduction in rolling resistance allows your vehicle to expend less energy, thereby conserving fuel. Misaligned wheels, on the other hand, can lead to increased fuel consumption as your vehicle has to compensate for the additional drag.
Regularly scheduled alignments ensure that your vehicle operates efficiently, offering savings at the pump and reduced emissions, contributing to a greener environment.
Why Do New Tires Require Alignment?
When you install new tires, an alignment is often recommended to ensure optimal performance. Proper alignment allows the new tires to wear evenly, extending their lifespan. This ensures that you not only get the most out of your investment but that your vehicle maintains excellent road contact, which is essential for safety. Aligning new tires immediately also prevents uneven wear that can arise from existing misalignment issues.
Aligning your wheels after installing new tires helps maintain the integrity of your suspension system and enhances driving comfort. It’s a proactive step to ensure stability and longevity from the outset.
What Are the Risks of Skipping Wheel Alignment?
Neglecting wheel alignment services can lead to several risks, including uneven tire wear, which reduces tire lifespan and necessitates costly replacements more frequently. Misaligned wheels can also affect vehicle handling, making the car difficult to control, especially during sudden maneuvers. This increases the potential for accidents, putting the driver and passengers at risk.
Furthermore, you may experience decreased fuel efficiency and increased stress on your suspension components without regular alignments, leading to further mechanical issues and higher maintenance costs.
Can Alignment Adjustments Improve Driving Comfort?
Yes, proper alignment adjustments can greatly enhance driving comfort. By ensuring that all four wheels are aligned according to the manufacturer's specifications, your vehicle will drive smoother and feel more balanced. Misalignment can result in vibrations and noise that disrupt comfort during rides. When wheels are aligned correctly, these issues are minimized, leading to a quieter, more relaxed driving experience.
Schedule your professional wheel alignment service in Midland, TX, today!
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.