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.
Different Types of Wheel Alignment Offered at CBAC
At Christian Brothers Automotive O'fallon in St. Peters, we offer alignment services matched to your vehicle’s specific design and needs.
We offer the following alignment types:
- Basic alignment check: A diagnostic assessment that identifies whether your vehicle’s alignment is within spec and flags any angles that need correction.
- Front-end alignment: Adjusts only the front wheels and is typically suited to vehicles with a solid rear axle, such as larger trucks and certain SUVs.
- Four-wheel alignment: Adjusts all four wheels and is recommended for most modern vehicles, including front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, passenger cars, SUVs, and crossovers.
- Thrust angle alignment: Used for vehicles with a solid rear axle, this service adjusts the front suspension while confirming all four wheels are squared to the vehicle’s centerline. This helps confirm the rear axle is properly aligned with the front.
The right alignment type depends on your vehicle’s drivetrain configuration and how you drive. Our technicians can recommend the appropriate service based on thorough diagnostics and your driving habits, whether that’s daily city commuting or regular highway travel.
What Regular Wheel Alignments Do for Your Vehicle
Keeping your alignment in spec does more than smooth out your drive. It helps protect your investment.
Consistent alignment maintenance can lead to:
- Improved fuel efficiency: Properly aligned wheels reduce rolling resistance, which may lower fuel consumption over time.
- Smoother handling: Correct alignment helps your car steer accurately and respond predictably, improving comfort on every drive.
- Longer tire life: Even tire contact with the road prevents premature wear, which can help your tires last longer.
- Better stability and safety: With all wheels aligned to spec, your vehicle can track more reliably and handle more confidently in demanding conditions.
Regular alignment also reduces stress on your suspension components, helping you avoid the kind of steering and suspension repairs that can follow years of misalignment.
Why St. Peters Drivers Choose Christian Brothers Automotive O'fallon for Wheel Alignment
Our computerized alignment technology can detect a misalignment as small as one-tenth of a degree, and we restore every vehicle to original manufacturer settings. After every service, our technicians walk you through what they found in plain language. No jargon, no guesswork. Just a clear explanation of what was corrected and why.
Our owner/operators are on-site at our location, which means there’s real accountability behind every service we perform. We also offer a complimentary shuttle service so your day doesn’t stop while your vehicle is in our care. Every alignment is backed by our industry-leading warranty because we stand behind the work we do.
Schedule Your Wheel Alignment in St. Peters Today
Misalignment doesn’t fix itself, and the longer it goes unaddressed, the more it can cost you in tires, fuel, and suspension wear. Our ASE-certified team at Christian Brothers Automotive O'fallon is ready to get your vehicle back in spec with honest, transparent service the St. Peters community has come to rely on.
Call us at (636) 435-2930 or schedule your appointment online to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Wheel Alignment, & Why Does It Matter?
Wheel alignment refers to the adjustment of your vehicle’s suspension system. These are the components that connect your car to its wheels. Proper alignment sets the angles at which your tires contact the road, which affects handling, tire wear, fuel efficiency, and overall safety. When those angles drift out of spec, the effects can compound over time.
How Often Should I Have My Alignment Checked?
We recommend checking your alignment annually or every 6,000 to 10,000 miles, depending on your driving habits and the roads you travel. If you notice pulling, uneven tire wear, or steering wheel vibration, don’t wait for your next scheduled visit. Those symptoms suggest alignment should be checked sooner.
Can Misalignment Damage My Tires?
Yes. Misalignment can cause uneven tire wear. One edge wears faster than the other, shortening the usable life of the tire and often requiring early replacement. Catching misalignment early is one of the simplest ways to protect your tire investment.
How Long Does a Wheel Alignment Take?
Most alignments are completed in about an hour, though timing can vary depending on your vehicle’s condition and the type of alignment required. We work efficiently without cutting corners, so you’re back on the road as quickly as the job allows.
What Are the Signs My Vehicle Needs an Alignment?
The most common signs are your vehicle pulling to one side, a steering wheel that sits crooked when you’re driving straight, irregular tire wear, or vibrations through the steering wheel or seat. Any one of these is worth having checked by a professional.
What’s the Difference Between Wheel Alignment & Wheel Balancing?
They’re related but address different problems. Wheel alignment adjusts the suspension angles that control how your tires sit and contact the road, correcting pulling, drift, and uneven wear. Wheel balancing corrects uneven weight distribution in the tire-and-wheel assembly, which typically shows up as vibration at highway speeds. Many vehicles benefit from both services, and our technicians can help you determine what your vehicle actually needs.
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.