Alignment Archives - Steve's Auto Repair & Tire Blog

What type of tire alignment do I need?

In Alignment by Steves Auto Repair and TireNovember 13, 2025

Have you ever been to a shop that suggested a tire alignment? This service is usually brought up when a vehicle gets new tires or work is done to the steering and suspension.

Alignments are also needed once a year and if they are thrown off by certain road conditions, such as curbs, potholes and speed bumps. A bad car alignment can be indicated through uneven tire wear, a crooked steering wheel, and a vehicle pulling to one side.

Through regular wheel alignments, you can make sure your tires are wearing evenly and last as long as possible.

There are a couple of different types of wheel alignments and the process itself can vary from car to car.

What are the different kinds of alignments?

European tire alignments

The two kinds of alignments are four-wheel alignments and two-wheel alignments (also known as front-end alignments).

Four-wheel alignments are performed on a lot of cars found on the road today. They are done on four-wheel drive vehicles.

Front-end alignments are typically needed on anything with a solid rear axle, such as pickup trucks and larger SUVs.

We perform them on front-wheel drive vehicles, as well. Front-wheel drive vehicles have a solid rear beam that normally doesn’t have adjusters. For example, certain Volkswagens need a two-wheel alignment, but some of the sportier Volkswagens have adjustments in the rear.

Now, they are coming out with independent rear axles, where there are CV axles in the rear. Some of the independent rear drivelines have adjusters and others do not.

What happens during a tire alignment?

The tire alignment process begins with a test drive and visual inspection to make sure that no problems are missed.

When conducting an alignment, our technicians rotate the tires before putting the vehicle on a rack.

To the wheels, we attach targets, which are read by a CCD camera. Adjustments are made based on the manufacturer’s recommendations.

We always start with the rear and go right (passenger’s side) to left (driver’s side).

What angles are checked during a tire alignment?

Ford Escape wheel alignment

The measurements we focus on are caster, camber and toe. Thrust angle and ride height are other items we can check.

Here’s what those different terms mean:

Caster: The way the wheels tilt to the front and rear of a vehicle.
Camber: How the wheels are angled inward and outward.
Toe: Based on the center of the car, how much the wheels are to the left and right.
Thrust angle: This looks at where the rear axle is positioned in relation to the front axle and vehicle’s center.
Ride height: The clearance between the ground and the bottom of the vehicle.

How does the four-wheel and front-end alignment process differ?

The concept for two-wheel and four-wheel alignments is the same.

However, the adjusters are different on every single car. That’s the biggest difference. Some cars have rear tie rod ends and there can be adjusters on the control arms themselves. Sometimes, adjustments need to be made to trailing arms. It really depends on the vehicle.

How long a tire alignment takes also varies. European vehicles can require more time due to the adjustments. Also, they usually have more splash paneling that may need to be removed.

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How do suspension parts impact alignments?

In Alignment by Steves Auto Repair and TireDecember 6, 2024

There may come a time where you feel like your car is pulling to one side. Maybe it looks like the steering wheel is crooked or the tires aren’t wearing evenly across the tread.

These observations can be indicators that the wheels are out of alignment. Different factors can cause this, including potholes, speed bumps and curbs.

Suspension wear can be the culprit, too. You may notice certain noises when steering and suspension parts are worn or broken. The problem could also be found when an automotive technician is inspecting the vehicle or performing a tire alignment.

How suspension parts affect adjustments

When conducting wheel alignments, we want to make sure that the caster, camber and toe are in the correct parameters.

“Caster” explains how much wheels tilt toward a car’s front and back. Meanwhile, camber describes their inward and outward angle. Toe is a wheel’s left and right position in relation to the center of a vehicle.

Tie rod ends have a ball joint. If they have play, it’s going to primarily impact the toe adjustment. The steering wheel will mainly be affected by the tie rod ends but can be impacted by the control arms.

Worn shocks and struts on a Honda CR-V

Worn out bushings will make the caster and camber askew and they aren’t always adjustable. So replacing the component is needed.

Worn shocks and struts may not cause a vehicle to be out of alignment but could result in it traveling incorrectly, especially when going around corners.

Road conditions and the suspension

Components may go bad overtime or be impacted by a road condition.

For example, control arms sometimes become bent when motorists travel over potholes or come in contact with a curb.

When your tire hits a pothole, the energy has to go somewhere. The tire is going to take some of that impact. Then, it’s going to travel through the wheel and wheel hub. Depending on how the energy impacts the tire will affect the next component.

Cracking lower control arm bushings on a Scion Tc

Most of the time if you hit a pothole and have a standard modern suspension (keep in mind there are other variations), the majority of that impact is going toward the tie rod end and lower ball joints. Those ball joints are attached to the steering knuckle, meaning they are the first steering and suspension parts to catch that energy before traveling down the line.

Tie rod ends connect to the rack and pinion, which have bushings and other wearable components. On the backside of the control arms are bushings. All of those components are designed to take some impact, but they can only handle so much. That energy could be greater than what they are capable of taking.

When and why to get an alignment

We recommend car alignments once a year or every 15,000 miles. This service should also be done when tires and suspension components are replaced.

If your car feels like it isn’t driving straight or you don’t remember the last time it received a tire alignment, talk to your auto repair shop about having one performed.

Regular alignments provide several benefits, like keeping your tires from wearing unevenly and prematurely.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located near Dale City, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.

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Mileage-based services: what does your car need and when?

In Alignment, Battery, Cabin Air Filter, Maintenance, Shocks and Struts by Steves Auto Repair and TireJanuary 19, 2024

The lifespans of vehicles have lengthened over the years, which means that drivers are keeping them for extended periods of time.

To ensure that your car lasts as long as possible, it requires maintenance. After a period of time or as a vehicle reaches a specific mileage, certain tasks are recommended.

Some mileage-based services include flushes, replacing parts, and tune-up related items.

Year-based car maintenance

Every 3 to 5 years

Battery replacement is normally needed around every 5 years for good batteries. How long a car battery lasts can be impacted by the quality, type and size. Where you buy it from is another factor.

No longer than 8 to 10 years

If it’s been 8 to 10 years since you last purchased tires, it’s time to invest in new ones. Depending on where you live, weather conditions and how you drive, your car may need new tires sooner.

Tires tread depth must be at least 2/32 of an inch. There shouldn’t be any chords showing or cracks in the sidewall.

Mileage-based services

Every 3,000 to 5,000 miles

Oil changes on many vehicles should typically be performed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. We know that some manufacturers are recommending them every 10,000 to 15,000 miles or when the oil service light turns on. If you want to keep your vehicle for a long time, you may want to choose synthetic oil and have it changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.

It’s a good idea to have tire rotations done every 5,000 miles, too. This service is a part of our oil change process.

Between 10,000 and 20,000 miles

The lifespan of cabin air filters is normally 10,000 to 20,000 miles. This is determined by the kind of vehicle you have and the driving conditions.

How long air filters last vary, as well. They are among the components we check during oil changes. Air filter replacement can be suggested upon inspection or per the manufacturer’s guidelines. They could last somewhere around 10,000 or 15,000 miles.

Every 15,000 miles

It’s a good idea to have wheel alignments conducted once a year or every 15,000 miles. This service is also suggested when you purchase new tires and following any needed suspension repairs.

Tire balances and GDI induction services should be performed every 15,000 miles, too.

Every 30,000 miles

A few mileage-based services are needed every 30,000 miles. This can differ among vehicles and the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Typically, every 30,000 miles is the suggested frequency for brake fluid exchanges, coolant fluid exchanges, transmission fluid exchanges, power steering fluid exchanges, and fuel induction services.

If you want to receive some sort of extended warranty, you may want to start earlier than what the manufacturer suggests.

When a vehicle has between 50,000 and 100,000 miles

Worn struts on a Toyota Camry

When your car has between 50,000 and 60,000 miles on it, we recommend taking a look at shocks and struts.

Depending on the vehicle, you may need to replace them as soon as 50,000 to 60,000 miles. Generally, you change these suspension parts between 75,000 and 100,000 miles.

When a car gets to 100,000 miles

Cracking serpentine belt on a Jeep Grand Cherokee

If a car’s serpentine belts haven’t been replaced by the time it reaches 100,000 miles, now is a good time to do so. Also called “drive belts”, serpentine belts go around various engine components, including alternators and water pumps.

Any original spark plugs should be changed, as well. Swapping out spark plugs when needed helps improve a vehicle’s operation and extends the lifespan of subsystems.

After 100,000 miles

After a vehicle hits 100,000 miles, it’s important to keep up with the mileage-based services needed every 15,000, 20,000 and 30,000 miles. The manufacturers will have different recommendations.

Wherever you have your car worked on, make sure that the mechanic or auto repair shop is aware of what maintenance it needs and when.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located near Dumfries, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.

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Subframe replacement on Volkswagen Beetle

In Alignment by Steves Auto Repair and TireAugust 18, 2022

At times, you can’t tell that there is a problem with a car just by looking at it. An issue may not be found until it’s brought into an auto repair shop.

This was what happened with a Volkswagen Beetle our Woodbridge mechanics recently worked on. It had slid into a curb on the rear left side, and the driver wanted to have the vehicle checked out.

When you were looking at it, the car didn’t appear to have any problems. However, once it was put up on the alignment machine, you could see that the caster and camber in the rear were out of specification. Caster refers to how the tires are angled toward the front or rear of a vehicle, and camber means how they are angled in or out. There were no more adjustments that we could do to compensate for it.

Taking a quick glance at the subframe, it didn’t look like it was damaged that much. But if you look at the side-to-side picture, you can see where – from the impact – the paint is chipped and it looks a bit rusty. That’s why, in this particular case, subframe replacement was needed to bring everything back into the correct specifications.

Subframe replacement process

Sometimes, you can adjust the toe – which is how far to the left or right the tires are from a car’s center – on the rear of these vehicles. Some vehicles even have different kits you can put in as a lower control arm or upper control arm that have built in adjustments. But not all the time. This one is just a standard lower control arm, springs, upper control arm that keeps everything in alignment.

In this particular case, the subframe bolts to the bottom of the chassis and all of the components – such as the upper control arm, lower control arm, springs, tie rod ends, steering knuckles, and even all the brackets for the brake lines and (Anti-lock Braking System) ABS sensor wiring – are attached to the subframe of this Volkswagen Beetle.

Fortunately, it has a rear subframe, which is replaceable. Some vehicles don’t have that. Yes, this project was a little bit of work, but that made it easier to bring it back into correct specifications.

When and why to get regular wheel alignments

This is another reason why you should get your wheel alignment checked every year, especially here in Northern Virginia. With the conditions of the roads, the potholes, the constant construction that’s going on, you would be surprised by how much of a hit your suspension takes in day-to-day driving.

Other than annually, we recommend car alignments when new tires are installed or suspension work is performed.

You should also get it checked if your vehicle feels like it’s pulling to one side, you notice that the tires are wearing unevenly, or the steering wheel appears to be crooked.

Tire alignments are beneficial in several ways. In addition to preventing premature tire wear, this process can help improve a car’s fuel economy and ensures that its steering capability is correct.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.

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Car alignments: How are they beneficial?

In Alignment by Steves Auto Repair and TireJuly 8, 2022

If you have been driving for a while and been responsible for making sure your vehicle is taken care of, you may have heard the term “wheel alignment” mentioned.

It may have been a service that was recommended to you when you bought new tires, or after you hit a curb or pothole.

But what are car alignments? And what is the point behind them?

An alignment is a form of maintenance where we look at a few specifications – caster, camber and toe. Our Woodbridge mechanics use a new wheel alignment machine that we purchased last year.

This maintenance service is beneficial in several ways.

How car alignments are beneficial

Increases fuel efficiency: With how expensive gas prices can be, it’s worth it to look into ways that you can improve your vehicle’s fuel economy. Tires that are correctly lined up with a car don’t have as much rolling resistance. Less rolling resistance equals better fuel efficiency. Tires tend to drag if they aren’t aligned right, resulting in more tire wear and reduced fuel efficiency.

Prevents tires from wearing unevenly: The tread should be the same across the tire. Having tire alignments performed regularly prevents tires from wearing more on one side or area than another.

Enables tires to last: Alignments also help you get the most out of your tires. A high quality tire will take you at least 45,000 miles, depending on the tire quality, the materials, and the manufacturer. Because tires experience wear and tear on a daily basis, they should receive an annual checkup in the form of tire alignments.

Makes sure the steering capability is right: We recommend an alignment for cars that are having new steering and suspension components installed. Through this process, adjustments can change. So, it’s a good idea to double check this as well as your vehicle’s ability to steer.

Helps safety features work correctly: Does your vehicle use park assist, collision avoidance, or blind spot detection? In order for certain safety features to work right, a vehicle’s alignment needs to be correct. When performing a tire alignment on cars with Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), our technicians must reprogram parameters after the alignment has been conducted.

How do you know if you need an alignment?

Car alignments offer quite a few perks, but how do you know when you need one? As we have mentioned, it’s a good idea to have this service done once a year, when you get new tires, and after suspension work is performed.

However, a wheel alignment may also be needed if you notice various indicators, like a car that pulls to one side or the other. Keep in mind that this is also a sign of a bad tire. The road may be causing this to occur, as well. Other symptoms of a bad wheel alignment include the tires wearing unevenly and the steering wheel appearing off-center or crooked.

Have you noticed any of these indicators or any abnormal sounds or behaviors? If so, it may be worth your while to contact a nearby auto repair shop or mechanic.

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