Are you planning to take your car for an alignment but don’t know how long an alignment take? In this guide, we are going to provide answer to this question, plus many other things we shall let you know about alignment.
What Is Wheel Alignment?
Wheel alignment, often known as breaking or tracking, is a routine automotive maintenance procedure that involves changing the angles of the wheels to the manufacturer’s standards. These changes are made to save tire wear and ensure that the vehicle travels straight and true (without “pulling” to one side). To achieve a specific handling characteristic, alignment angles can be changed beyond the manufacturer’s requirements. For a variety of reasons, angles in motorsport and off-road applications may need to be changed much beyond normal.
Let us now see how long an alignment takes, so you know how much time to spend when taking your car to the mechanic.
How Long Does an Alignment Take?
A wheel alignment, whether for a two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive car, takes an average of one hour in typical circumstances. It will take longer if the suspension system, steering bushing, track rod, or other parts have too much wear and tear or damage, as some components will need to be replaced.
Wheel alignment is an important maintenance chore that you cannot afford to overlook because it has a substantial impact on your vehicle’s performance, riding comfort, safety, and longevity.
How Often Should You Do an Alignment?
The frequency with which you should get your wheels aligned varies greatly based on the sort of vehicle you possess, your driving patterns, and other considerations. A wheel alignment should be done every two or three years, according to most experts. The best thing to do, though, is to stick to the recommended service intervals in your owner’s manual.
If your owner’s handbook doesn’t say how often your wheels should be realigned, you should take your car to a service facility or auto repair shop at least once a year for a tire alignment exam. After one or two years of driving, a vehicle’s wheel alignment is usually somewhat wrong. However, having your car’s wheels realigned every year isn’t necessary if it holds the road effectively, doesn’t drift to one side, and has equally worn tires.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that some circumstances may necessitate more frequent tire alignments for your car. Wheel alignment is normally required more frequently in vehicles with bigger tires or performance-oriented vehicles. Additionally, whenever you replace your tires, you should consider getting a wheel alignment.
Is Tire Alignment Really Important?
Tire alignment is, without a doubt, one of the most crucial maintenance activities. Your vehicle’s handling capability will be dramatically reduced if the wheels are mismatched. It’ll tug in one way all the time, making it difficult to pivot or move in a straight line. This not only makes driving more difficult and uncomfortable, but it also puts your and your passengers’ safety in jeopardy.
Furthermore, failing to adjust your wheels on a regular basis can significantly increase the expense of car ownership. Uneven tire wear can be caused by misaligned wheels, which means you’ll have to change your tires more regularly. Because misalignment can produce additional tension in your tires, it’s not uncommon for flat spots and tire blowouts to occur. In addition, mismatched wheels can damage wheel rims and suspension, affecting your vehicle’s performance and lifetime.
Signs That Your Car Needs an Alignment
If you frequently operate your vehicle off-road, you may require an alignment sooner than someone who exclusively uses their vehicle for commuting. If you like off-roading, you should be aware of the warning indications that your vehicle need alignment. The following are signs that your car needs an alignment:
Steering wheel doesn’t stay straight
If you let off of your steering wheel while driving, it should remain centered. If the road is bent downwards to the left or right for drainage reasons, it may drift a little, but your steering wheel should stay generally straight.
If you let go of the steering wheel while driving and your vehicle pulls sharply to the left or right, it’s a sign that it’s out of alignment. You may also notice this pull while driving. It shouldn’t take much effort to keep your car on the straight and narrow.
Front-wheel drive vehicles have a more visible warning sign, whereas four-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles have a less visible warning sign. The mechanic will make sure your tires are aligned with your steering column when you get your tires aligned. While driving, this should eliminate the pull you feel and see on your steering wheel.
Abnormal Tire Wear
If you rotate your tires properly at the specified mileage for your vehicle, they should all wear down at the same rate. The tread on your tire should wear down the most in the center, where it makes the greatest contact with your vehicle.
You may see irregular wear patterns on your tires if your car is not correctly aligned. You’ll notice that one side or edge of your tires appears to be wearing down faster than the other. This type of irregular wear pattern is usually caused by your car being out of alignment.
You want your tires to wear down in a consistent manner. This will give you the smoothest ride possible. You will be able to change all of your tires at the same time if they wear equally, which is the best approach to replace your tires.
Your Steering Wheel Starts Vibrating
You may feel the bumps in the road as you drive over them if you hold on to your steering wheel, but your steering wheel should not move at all. It is not acceptable for your steering wheel to vibrate. Your steering wheel may vibrate if your alignment is wrong.
Vibrations in your steering wheel can be caused by out-of-balance or out-of-alignment tires. If you drive over a pothole or engage in other off-roading activities, they may become unbalanced. When driving around town at moderate speeds, you may not notice your steering wheel vibrating.
When you get on the motorway or drive on routes with a greater speed restriction, however, the vibrations become more noticeable. Because your tires are rotating faster at higher speeds, you feel the vibrations more. If you don’t have your vehicle aligned, the vibrations will get worse with time. This can make it difficult for you to maintain a firm grasp on the steering wheel and drive safely down the road.
How Much Does Wheel Alignment Cost?
If your automobile simply need a two-wheel alignment, expect to pay between $50 and $100, and at least double that if all four wheels are in need of repair. If that seems excessive, consider that replacing just one tire can cost the same amount and then more.
How long does an alignment take?
A wheel alignment, whether for a two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive car, takes an average of one hour in typical circumstances. It will take longer if the suspension system, steering bushing, track rod, or other parts have too much wear and tear or damage, as some components will need to be replaced.
What happens if you drive with a bad wheel alignment?
Uneven tire wear can be caused by driving a vehicle with incorrect wheel alignment. If the problem is not resolved quickly, a vehicle’s tires may experience early wear and tear, rendering them unsafe. To minimize excessive tire damage, correct alignment issues as soon as possible.
What causes wheels to go out of alignment?
Potholes, knocking into curbs, and even small accidents are all common causes of one or more of your wheels being misaligned. Second, natural wear and tear might cause your car to become out of alignment over time.
How often should you get an alignment?
It is generally advised that you have your wheels aligned every 2 to 3 years. However, if you want to ensure the optimum safety for your automobile, yourself, and anyone around you, you should get a wheel alignment every time you replace your vehicle’s oil.
Conclusion
Hope you enjoyed this article on how long an alignment take. If you notice your car is out of alignment, ensure you visit any of the mechanics near you and have it aligned as soon as possible.