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2025 Nissan Sentra ReviewWhy You Probably Need a Wheel Alignment Right Now
If you’ve ever wondered what a wheel alignment is, we’re covering it in this rundown just in time for the end of winter and pothole season.
What Is a Wheel Alignment?
As winter winds down, now is a great time to give your car, truck, or SUV a thorough spring cleaning. After all, the potholed roads, frigid temperatures, salt, and sand commonly encountered in snowy climes can take a toll on your ride. One area you’ll want to pay close attention to is your wheel alignment. If you’re wondering, “What is a wheel alignment?”, you’ve come to the right place.
Also referred to as a front-end alignment, a wheel alignment is the process of adjusting a vehicle’s suspension components to ensure the tires are making optimal contact with the road. Not to be confused with tire balancing, getting your vehicle aligned is critical to driving safely and keeping maintenance costs down over the long haul.
In the past, the term front-end alignment was more commonly used as vehicles used to be primarily body-on-frame construction with rear leaf springs meaning only the front end required adjustment. Today, however, with so many unibody vehicles on the road featuring independent rear suspension systems, a four-corner alignment is more typical.
The Wheel Alignment Process
Having your car aligned means the camber, caster, and toe angles will be adjusted as needed to match the manufacturer’s recommendations. Camber refers to the inward or outward angle of the wheel when looking at it from the front of the vehicle
Caster angle refers to the steering axis and whether it is tilted toward the driver or toward the front of the car when looking at the wheel from the side of the car. You can think of the steering axis as an imaginary vertical line connecting the upper and lower ball joints – or pivot points – of the front wheel.
Just like with your feet, a vehicle’s toe references how much your wheels angle inward or outward when viewed from overhead. All three of these angles combine to deliver the ride and handling characteristics that the automaker originally intended.
When these angles are out of alignment, a whole host of issues can crop up as we’ll cover below. And be aware, aligning your wheels is not a typical DIY job as it involves specialized equipment, so it is best handled by a pro.
Why You Need a Wheel Alignment Right Now
Earlier we mentioned that considering a wheel alignment is a good idea as winter winds down. That’s because with winter often comes car-swallowing potholes. Slamming into one of those potholes at speed is one of driving’s exquisitely awful experiences. It can also throw your car out of alignment in the process.
Signs that it’s time for an alignment include vibration in the steering wheel, especially at highway speeds, the car pulling to the left or right forcing you to continually correct, and a steering wheel that is off center when driving straight.
Inspecting your tires periodically is always a good idea from a maintenance perspective and if, in the process, you notice uneven tire wear, it may be time for a wheel alignment. When the camber is out of whack, you may notice the inside or outside of the tread is significantly more worn than the center section.
When the tread is smooth on one side and sharp on the other, an uneven wear pattern known as feathering, you may have a toe alignment issue. If your car has any of these indicators, it’s best to have a professional take a look at the alignment.
Why Get a Wheel Alignment
So, we’ve looked at the basics of what a wheel alignment is, now let’s discuss why they’re a necessary part of vehicle upkeep. Perhaps the most important reason to keep your car aligned is to help the tires perform properly and last longer.
Tires are expensive, so it’s worth trying to hang on to them as long as possible. Plus, uneven tire wear can lead to safety issues like reduced traction in slick conditions and even blowouts. The same thing applies to your suspension components.
When the suspension is working properly, you shouldn’t have weird vibrations coming through the steering wheel, the car shouldn’t pull hard to one side or the other, the ride will be more comfortable, and the vehicle will run more efficiently, which translates to better fuel economy.
And if you think replacing tires is expensive, price out replacement shocks and bushings. Yikes. Better to spend a relatively small sum on keeping the alignment tight than shelling out big bucks for worn-out suspension components.
How Much Does a Wheel Alignment Cost?
This brings up the question of how much it costs to get your vehicle aligned. If you only need the front end corrected, expect to pay between $50 and $75. If your vehicle has fully independent suspension, all four corners will need attention, which drives the price into the $100 to $150 range.
Those with a high-performance or luxury vehicle may see higher prices if specialized tools are needed to complete the alignment. Getting an alignment done shouldn’t take much more than an hour if the suspension is in overall good condition, but be aware that in the process, worn-out parts could be discovered that may need replacement to ensure proper alignment.
Future Wheel Alignments
It’s important to note that a wheel alignment is not a one-time job. If you regularly travel on rough roads or even just drill a pothole one time, your vehicle’s alignment could require attention. But it’s worth staying on top of as leaving your car out of alignment for too long can lead to bigger ticket repairs for suspension parts and tires down the road.
