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 May Need an Alignment Service
While alignment issues are uncomfortable, they also cause big problems for your tires. Uneven wear can shorten your tires’ lifespan and even cause a dangerous blowout while you’re driving.
If your vehicle is exhibiting any of the following symptoms or has been in a recent collision, it’s imperative that you get your alignment checked out immediately:
- Uneven or cupped tire wear
- Cupped wear: also known as tire scalloping, this wear pattern appears as dips around the edge of your tire tread.
- Vehicle and floorboard vibrations at highway speeds
- Pulling to one side when driving straight
- Diminished handling capability
- Steering wheel off-centered while driving
How Christian Brothers Automotive Can Help
Without the correct wheel alignment, your gas mileage, tire life, and overall performance of your vehicle will pay the price. This is why we recommend checking your alignment every 6,000 miles or 6 months.
You may not always notice improper alignment right away. But even subtle changes can cause uneven tire wear and rob your valuable investment of thousands of miles. As your partners in automotive care, we offer a free courtesy inspection check when performing any service. Through our courtesy check, we are usually able to spot alignment problems when changing your oil or performing routine maintenance. However, if you believe you have an alignment problem that needs to be fixed, don’t hesitate to let us know.
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.