How often should I get a wheel alignment?
Have your alignment checked once a year, whenever you fit new tyres, and after any hard knock such as hitting a kerb or pothole. Get it checked sooner if the car pulls to one side, the steering wheel sits off-centre, or the inner or outer edges of your tyres are wearing faster than the middle.
What are the signs my alignment is out?
- The car drifts or pulls to one side on a straight, flat road.
- The steering wheel sits crooked when you're driving straight.
- The steering feels heavy or doesn't return to centre after a turn.
- One edge of a tyre is wearing faster than the rest of the tread.
Why does alignment matter?
When the wheels aren't pointing where they should, the tyres scrub along the road instead of rolling cleanly. That wears them unevenly and much faster, adds rolling resistance that costs fuel, and makes the car less predictable to steer.
What usually knocks it out?
Potholes, kerbs, speed bumps taken too fast, rough gravel and farm roads, and worn steering or suspension parts. Fitting larger wheels or lowering or lifting a vehicle also changes the angles and needs an alignment afterwards.
What happens during an alignment?
A technician measures the angles of each wheel against the manufacturer's specification and adjusts the steering and suspension so the wheels point straight and sit flat on the road. If your car tracks straight and the tyres are wearing evenly, we'll tell you it doesn't need one.
Not sure what you need?
Call in for a free tyre safety check at 18 Durham Street South, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. We'll tell you straight if it needs work.
Common questions
Is a wheel alignment the same as wheel balancing?
No. Alignment sets the angles of the wheels so they point straight and sit flat on the road. Balancing evens out the weight around each wheel to stop vibration, usually felt through the steering wheel at speed.
Do I need an alignment after fitting new tyres?
It's a good idea. If the car is out of alignment, new tyres start wearing unevenly straight away, which shortens their life.
Can hitting a pothole knock my alignment out?
Yes. A hard hit on a pothole or kerb can shift the steering and suspension angles. If the car pulls or the steering wheel is off-centre afterwards, get it checked.
