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 You Need Alignment Service
Your vehicle often signals when the car alignment is off before you see major tire damage. Ignoring these signs can lead to unsafe driving conditions and expensive repairs. If you notice any of the following symptoms, it is time to schedule a professional inspection.
- Vehicle Pulling: The car drifts to the left or right when driving on a straight road.
- Crooked Wheel: The steering wheel is not centered when you are driving straight forward.
- Uneven Wear: One side of the tire tread wears down significantly faster than the other.
- Steering Vibration: The steering wheel shakes or vibrates, especially at higher highway speeds.
- Squealing Tires: You hear unusual screeching noises from the tires during low-speed turns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Signs That My Vehicle Needs An Alignment?
Common signs that your vehicle may require a wheel alignment include pulling to one side when driving straight, uneven tire wear, steering wheel vibration, or an off-center steering wheel when driving straight. If you notice these symptoms, it’s time to visit Christian Brothers Automotive Montgomery Mall for a comprehensive alignment check to help prevent further complications.
How Often Should I Get My Wheels Aligned?
It’s generally recommended to check your wheel alignment once a year or every 10,000 miles, depending on your driving conditions in North Wales. Frequent trips on bumpy roads or hitting a significant pothole can throw your alignment off sooner. Regular checks and alignments can help maintain proper vehicle handling and support your safety.
Can Wheel Alignment Improve My Fuel Efficiency?
Yes, proper wheel alignment can significantly impact fuel efficiency. When wheels are not aligned, they create additional drag, making your vehicle work harder and consume more fuel. An alignment helps tires roll smoothly, reducing resistance and improving gas mileage, which is beneficial given the varying road types in Montgomeryville.
Why Should I Choose Computerized Alignment?
Computerized alignment offers pinpoint accuracy compared to traditional methods. At Christian Brothers Automotive Montgomery Mall, we use the latest computerized technology to achieve precise alignment settings. This technology helps ensure that your vehicle’s alignment meets or exceeds manufacturer specifications, providing better handling, improved safety, and extended tire life.
Computerized alignment provides detailed diagnostics that identify potential issues beyond alignment, such as worn suspension parts that might not be apparent during visual inspections. This comprehensive assessment helps you address alignment and other factors that contribute to overall vehicle safety and performance.
What Factors Can Affect My Vehicle’s Alignment?
Several factors can affect your vehicle’s alignment, including regular wear and tear, frequent driving over speed bumps or curbs, and impacts from potholes common in North Wales. Understanding these factors can help prevent misalignment and allow you to take prompt action to protect your vehicle’s performance.
In addition to physical impacts, carrying excessive weight in your vehicle or making frequent, abrupt stops can also affect alignment. It is essential to be mindful of these scenarios, which contribute to gradual misalignment. Properly managing your vehicle’s load and driving practices can help maintain alignment integrity longer.
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.