Noticing uneven tire wear or your car pulling to one side?
It might be time for a wheel alignment.
This routine service helps keep your vehicle driving straight and your tires wearing evenly.
But how much does a wheel alignment cost?
Knowing what to expect can help you budget before you schedule a wheel alignment service.
In this guide, we’ll break down the typical price range for wheel alignment, the factors that influence it, and signs you might need one.
This Article Contains:
- How Much Does a Wheel Alignment Cost?
- What Does a Wheel Alignment Service Involve?
- 5 Evident Signs Your Car Needs a Wheel Alignment Service
- How Often Do You Need a Wheel Alignment?
- 5 Common Causes of Wheel Alignment Issues
- 3 FAQs about Wheel Alignment
How Much Does a Wheel Alignment Cost?
Here’s what you can expect to pay for a wheel alignment or tire alignment:
A. Range
The average cost for a two-wheel alignment is $50 to $100, and a four-wheel alignment service costs $100 to $200.
B. Factors Affecting Cost
Common factors affecting the tire alignment charges include:
- Car make and model: Luxury, performance, and large vehicles have complex suspensions, so wheel alignments for these cars tend to cost more than standard cars. Additionally, many modern vehicles require precise alignment and an ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) recalibration after a wheel alignment, which costs more.
- Type of auto-repair shop: Dealerships generally charge more because they use OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts and follow manufacturer pricing. They may also include additional inspections and warranty-backed services. Independent shops are usually more affordable because they have lower operating costs, flexible pricing, and often use aftermarket or refurbished parts.
- Regional labor costs: States with strict labor regulations, higher minimum wages, and expensive city centers tend to have higher labor rates. In contrast, rural or less populated areas with lower business expenses offer more affordable services.
- Additional automotive services: Poor alignment can lead to tire wear and put extra stress on suspension and steering components like tie rods and ball joints. If these parts need replacing, the total alignment cost will be higher. For example, tire service fees for installing new tires can add $11 to $25 per tire (that’s on top of the cost of new tires themselves).
What Does a Wheel Alignment Service Involve?
Here’s what a mechanic does while performing a wheel alignment:
- Inspection: They first check the suspension, steering, and tire tread and replace the affected parts.
- Angle adjustments: Use an alignment machine to set the camber, caster, and toe to factory specifications. The camber controls wheel tilt, the caster affects steering balance, and the toe ensures the wheels point in the right direction.
- Test drive: They drive the vehicle to confirm it tracks straight, handles well, and has no issues.
5 Evident Signs Your Car Needs a Wheel Alignment Service
Symptoms of misaligned wheels include:
- Steering wheel feels loose or vibrates: Misaligned tires can make the steering wheel unstable or cause vibrations while driving.
- Steering wheel sits off-center: A crooked steering wheel, even when driving straight, often points to an alignment issue.
- Car pulls to one side: The steering axis can shift without proper alignment, causing the vehicle to veer to one side.
- Uneven tire wear: Poor alignment can lead to faster tire wear on the inner or outer edges.
- Squeaky tires: Extra friction from misaligned wheels can cause tires to squeak, especially when turning.
How Often Do You Need a Wheel Alignment?
To keep things running smoothly, you should schedule a wheel alignment service:
- Every 15,000 miles or 2 to 3 years
- After new tire installations
- When replacing suspension parts, as they can affect alignment angles
- With tire rotations as a precautionary check
Regular wheel alignment ensures your tires make proper contact with the road, improves handling, and extends tire life.
5 Common Causes of Wheel Alignment Issues
Your wheel alignment can get thrown off by:
- Rough roads and hard impacts: Hitting potholes, curbs, speed bumps, and minor collisions can shake the suspension and knock the wheels out of alignment. Repeated jolts from rough roads, cracks, or loose gravel can also shift the suspension over time.
- Worn suspension components: Daily driving wears down ball joints, control arms, and tie rods. As the wear increases, they loosen and throw the vehicles’ wheels out of alignment.
- Low tire pressure: Underinflated tires can cause the car to pull to one side and strain the suspension. If ignored, this stress can lead to alignment problems.
- Vehicle modifications: Lifting or lowering a vehicle changes suspension geometry and can affect camber, caster, and toe angles. Without adjustments, the wheels won’t sit properly, causing misalignment.
- Heavy cargo or towing: Extra weight from cargo or towing strains the suspension. Over time, this stress can lead to a wheel alignment problem.
3 FAQs about Wheel Alignment
Here are the answers to some common questions you may have about tire alignment:
1. Is Driving with Misaligned Wheels Dangerous?
Yes. Misaligned wheels make steering harder and lead to premature tire wear. They can also reduce braking power and lower fuel efficiency.
If ignored, it can increase the risk of accidents, especially on wet roads or high speeds.
2. How Long Does It Take to Fix Misaligned Tires?
Experienced technicians can complete a two-wheel alignment in 30 minutes to an hour and a four-wheel alignment in about one to two hours.
However, if suspension or steering components are rusted or damaged, technicians may need extra time to loosen or replace them before adjusting the vehicles’ wheels.
3. What Is the Difference Between Wheel Alignment and Wheel Balancing?
A wheel alignment adjusts wheel angles to ensure they are properly positioned relative to the road, improving stability and tire life.
Meanwhile, wheel or tire balancing corrects weight imbalances to ensure smooth tire rotation and reduce vibrations.
Schedule a Wheel Alignment with AutoNation Mobile Service
Proper wheel alignment ensures safe handling, even tire wear, and a smooth ride. If your wheels are misaligned, get them fixed as soon as possible.
AutoNation Mobile Service offers professional wheel alignment services 7 days a week. Even better, our skilled technicians adjust your wheels in your driveway for maximum convenience.
Get a free quote and schedule a wheel alignment, brake repair, tire repair, or any other vehicle maintenance appointment today.