Wheel alignments for vehicles should be performed at any garage and should not be done at home. A special instrument is required for this precision accuracy.
Check your tires. The tread should wear evenly. The steering wheel should not "pull to one side or the other." If either of these is not correct then an alignment is needed.
One should get wheel alignment after you start feeling some vibration.
Just have the one wheel rebalanced, the others are still balanced. No alignment necessary.
Wheel alignment 40-60 $ depending on where you go. Wheel balancing 20 $
it will change a little from tread height but typically no even low or over inflated tires can change align angles but if it does not pull to one side or cause irregular tire wear who cares.
When any front end work is done and usually when you get new tires. If you notice the car "pulling" to one side or the other. Especially if you drive in an city with alot of potholes. Or if you notice uneven tire wear.
On average a 2 wheel alignment runs about $50.00. If you get a 4 wheel alignment it will cost you $80.00 to $100.00. I used to work at a car dealer and we charged $130.00 for a 4 wheel alignment. Best advice shop around and make sure you get a warranty because sometimes the mechanic will not adjust the alignment right and you will have to go back.
Assuming that one is referring to a front wheel alignment, there are a number of signs that can indicate that this process is required. If the car has driven over 100,000 miles since the last alignment, the front tires are wearing unevenly, the front of the car shakes when driving on a smooth surface, or the car is pulling to one side, a front wheel alignment is probably needed.
Wheel alignment services is one of the services that is provided by Wal Mart Auto Care Centers. They also offer oil and lube services, tire services, battery services and some general services. It should be noted that not all services are available in all locations. how much would an alignment cost me at walmart
Answer the steering wheel will pull to one side or the other when you are driving. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Best way to know is to look at the tread wear pattern on the tires. or simple go to a garage and get the alignment checked out.
Uneven tire wear, pulls to one side or the other, steering wheel off center,
When the vehicle "pulls" from one side to another is a good time to check the alignment. Being out of alignment drastically shortens tire life, and can result in poorer gas mileage. The vehicle should track a straight path on a smooth road - this can be checked with a very light grip on the steering wheel while traveling down the road. Never, ever take both hands off the steering wheel while moving for any reason, but a very light grip will let you feel if the vehicle wants to pull towards the right or left. There exist vehicles today which require a 4 wheel alignment. Wheel alignment isn't just limited to the front axle anymore - the read axle being out of alignment will cause the vehicle to "dog track" - where the rear tires to not follow the exact same path as the front. Improper alignment is a major cause of premature tyre wear. Over the years, a properly aligned vehicle can add thousands of miles to tyre life. Gas mileage increases as rolling resistance decreases. Total alignment sets all four wheels parallel which, along with proper inflation, minimizes rolling resistance. Improved Handling Does your car pull to one side? Does the steering wheel vibrate? Do you constantly have to move the steering wheel to keep your car traveling straight ahead? Many handling problems can be corrected by total alignment. With all the system components aligned properly, road shock is more efficiently absorbed for a smoother ride. A suspension system inspection is part of our alignment procedure. This allows us to spot worn parts before they cause costly problems. This is a complex task and should be done by a professional. In New Zealand John Bates Wheel Alignment is a good choice.