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 an Alignment Service
Recognizing an alignment problem early can save you from the high cost of premature tire replacement. While some signs are sudden, many develop slowly as components wear down. If your vehicle doesn't feel as stable as it used to, it is likely that your wheels are fighting each other instead of working together to move the car forward efficiently.
Watch for these indicators that your vehicle requires professional attention:
- Pulling to One Side: Your vehicle drifts left or right when you relax your grip on the wheel.
- Uneven Tire Wear: The tread on one side of a tire is wearing down faster than the other.
- Crooked Steering Wheel: The wheel is tilted to the side even when you are driving perfectly straight.
- Vibration or Shaking: You feel a persistent shaking through the steering wheel while traveling at highway speeds.
- Squealing Tires: Your tires make a chirping sound during turns, indicating they are scrubbing against the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I get a wheel alignment?
We recommend a professional alignment check every 6,000 miles or during every other oil change. In Prattville, where road construction and potholes are common, staying on a regular schedule is the best way to prevent uneven tire wear and protect your investment in high-quality tires.
What is the difference between a front-end and a four-wheel alignment?
A front-end alignment only adjusts the two steering wheels, while a four-wheel alignment recalibrates all four corners. Most modern vehicles require all four wheels to be adjusted to ensure the car tracks straight and that all tires wear at an equal, predictable rate.
Can a bad alignment affect my gas mileage?
Yes, it can. When your wheels are misaligned, they create extra rolling resistance—essentially dragging across the road. This forces your engine to work harder and burn more fuel. Restoring your car's alignment settings can noticeably improve your overall fuel economy.
Will an alignment fix a shaking steering wheel?
If the shaking is caused by alignment issues, such as extreme toe settings, an adjustment will help. However, shaking is often related to wheel balancing or suspension wear. Our alignment service includes an inspection to determine the exact cause of your vibration.
Is it necessary to get an alignment after buying new tires?
Absolutely. Installing new tires without checking the alignment is a risk; if the angles are off, your expensive new tires could show uneven tire wear within just a few hundred miles. We always recommend an alignment with new tires to maximize their lifespan.
Contact us online or call (334) 589-5978 for a computerized check.
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.