Tires & Alignment

Proper wheel alignment is crucial for maintaining vehicle control, ensuring even tire wear, and even boosting your fuel efficiency. When your wheels are out of alignment, it can lead to:

• Vehicle Pulling: Your car drifting to one side.
• Uneven Tire Wear: Rapid deterioration of your tire tread, leading to early replacement.
• Vibrations: Through the steering wheel or vehicle.
• Poor Handling: Making your car feel less stable or harder to steer.

Our ASE Certified Technicians utilize precision equipment to perform accurate wheel alignments, ensuring all four of your wheels meet the road at the correct angles. This not only enhances your driving experience but also protects your tire investment.

How often do I need a wheel alignment?
Have it checked at least once a year or every 6,000 to 12,000 miles, and immediately after new tires, any steering or suspension repair, or a hard pothole or curb impact. If the car pulls, the wheel sits off-center on a straight road, or tire wear is uneven, get it checked regardless of when the last one was.

Why do tires need to be rotated?
Front and rear tires wear at different rates and in different patterns the front tires handle steering and, on front-drive cars, most of the braking and all of the power. Rotating on schedule, generally every 5,000 to 7,500 miles or at each oil change, evens that out and can add thousands of miles of tire life. Directional and staggered-fitment tires rotate differently or not at all.

Why are my tires wearing on the inner or outer edge?
Edge wear on one side is a classic alignment symptom, usually camber or toe out of specification the tire is either leaning or being dragged slightly sideways as it rolls. Wear on both outer edges usually means underinflation; wear down the center means overinflation. Worn suspension components can cause the same pattern by letting geometry shift under load.

What is the difference between a two-wheel and four-wheel alignment?
A two-wheel (front-end) alignment adjusts the front wheels only. A four-wheel alignment measures all four and sets the front angles relative to the rear thrust line, which is what keeps the car tracking straight rather than crabbing. Most modern vehicles with independent rear suspension need a four-wheel alignment; front-end-only is appropriate on a narrower set of vehicles.

How do I know when I need new tires?
Measure the tread. Tires are legally worn out at 2/32 of an inch, but wet-weather braking degrades well before that – 4/32 is the practical replacement point, and a quarter inserted upside down that touches Washington’s head means you are above 4/32. Also check the DOT date code on the sidewall: tires older than about six years should be inspected regardless of tread depth.

Do you sell tires and perform alignments at all locations?
Yes to both. We sell all major tire brands, and all four locations have alignment racks and Hunter road-force balancers – road-force balancing catches vibration problems that conventional spin balancing misses, particularly on larger wheels. We also service, replace and program TPMS sensors, so the light goes out before you leave.