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Wheel alignments: when and why we recommend them

In Alignment by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

Updated April 10, 2024

Our vehicles need different kinds of upkeep to continue performing the way they were designed.

Wheel alignments are one form of maintenance that should be performed on a regular basis.

This service might not sound crucial, but it offers various benefits that can be seen in the long run. Helping your tires last by preventing uneven and premature tire wear is one perk.

When to get wheel alignments

Wheel alignment measurements.Car alignments should be performed every 15,000 miles or once a year. They are also recommended whenever you purchase new tires, or after steering and suspension parts are replaced.

It’s a good idea to get an alignment if you notice certain symptoms. An uncentered or crooked steering wheel is one indicator that a tire alignment should be performed. You may also notice the car pulling to one side and tire wear on the inner or outer edges.

Different road conditions, such as potholes, construction zones, curbs and speed bumps can throw off alignments. 

Suspension wear could have an impact, too. Worn, bent or broken suspension parts may lead to a bad tire alignment. These components include lower control arms, ball joints, idler arms and tie rod ends.

How we perform tire alignments

There are two different types of wheel alignments. A four-wheel alignment is required for most vehicles, and a two-wheel alignment is used on most pickup trucks.

When conducting an alignment, the tires are checked before the car is taken for a test drive. Then, the vehicle is placed on a rack and targets are secured to the tires. 

Tire alignment targets on Toyota Sienna.The wheel angles measured by the targets are read by cameras. Our automotive technicians are able to use this information to make any needed adjustments.

We check different specifications – caster, camber, toe and thrust angle. 

Caster refers to how wheels are angled forward or backward, and camber is how they go in or out. Toe is the term used to explain how far to the left or right the wheels are from the car’s center. “Thrust angle” describes the rear axle’s position in comparison to the center and front axle.

On top of looking at these different parameters, our technicians confirm that there aren’t any problems with the suspension components. They also measure the ride height.

If the car uses driver assist, an Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS) system reset may be needed after the alignment is complete.

What aren’t wheel alignment problems

Some symptoms may seem like a wheel alignment problem but are actually connected with a different system or issue.

Drivers might feel their car pull and think it’s a bad wheel alignment when – in reality – a tire needs to be replaced.

Vibration is another concern that our customers have brought up. Normally, this has to do with tire balancing.

Meanwhile, a steering wheel that shudders as you step on the brake pedal could be rooted in a brake problem.

If you aren’t sure if a car alignment is needed, reach out to an auto repair shop or mechanic you trust. They should be able to track down the problem and get your vehicle driving the way it should be.

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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Servicing vehicles with driver assist

In Alignment, Maintenance, Safety by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

Today, many vehicles use Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS).

For the automotive field, servicing vehicles with driver assist has started to become a challenge, even when it comes to regular maintenance.

Parts of the ADAS system can include: adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, pedestrian detection, collision avoidance, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, cross traffic alert, surround view, blind spot detection, park assist, rear collision warning, and rear park assist/back up park assist with surround view.

Some of the things that work with the sensors are: long range radars, LIDAR, cameras, short-medium range radars, and ultrasound.

Driver assist features graphic.

Driver assist

Driver assist resets

Depending on the vehicle, there are different levels of ADAS system resets — some of them are passive, some are hard resets where you have to use targets.

Some vehicles have different radar set ups and blind spot detection, which require different targets on certain vehicles, and they can be kind of tricky to reset.

Replacing a windshield with the incorrect kind of windshield may not allow the ADAS system to work correctly. Even body shops putting metallic paint on a car can impact the sensors located on the front bumper.

An ADAS system reset may also be needed after a wheel alignment or if technicians remove the bumper to replace the timing belt.

Why ADAS system resets are important

Another challenge is that a lot of people don’t know that a reset is needed. There’s no direct warning light for ADAS, unless you have a driver’s information center. So, you could be driving the car and not know the system isn’t set up correctly to help you in an emergency situation. 

In extreme conditions of the ADAS system not working correctly, the car may try to compensate for your regular driving.

So, if your vehicle has an ADAS system and you bring it to a repair shop, you may want to ask them if the work will affect your driving assist system. That way you can make sure that it does get reset.

What we see is a lot of people in the industry don’t even know that they’re supposed to do it.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire has invested in the complete ADAS system — everything from Fords, Chevys, Subarus, Mercedes, BMWs. We even can do the camera systems and the targeted systems.

It’s quite an investment, but we know that we need to make sure that we’re fixing these cars correctly, and we’re keeping your family safe on the road.

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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Are my tires getting old?

In Alignment, Tires and Wheels by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

One of the tires on your vehicle is looking a little low, and you decide to have it checked out.

When you grab your phone — or computer — and Google “Tire shop near me,” many businesses will mostly likely appear. In addition to finding a shop that’s conveniently located near you, it’s a good idea to check out their reviews and services.

Tire repair is one of the services Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire provides.

How often tire replacement should be done

Over time, tires wear out and are in need of replacing.

The latest you should wait to replace your them is eight to 10 years. We recommend that you begin planning for new tires at six years, depending on the climate.

If you live in Northern Virginia, tires tend to last a long time. Those residing near the beach — where it’s saltier — may need to replace them every four to six years.

How to tell if your tires are getting old

You can tell the age of a tire by looking at its date code. A date code tells you the week and the year it was manufactured. This can help you determine if the tire is getting too old.

An example is if the last four digits of the DOT code are 0304. That would mean the tire was produced during the third week of the year 2004.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire, which is a Virginia Safety Inspection station, looks at tires during the annual Virginia Safety Inspection.

The minimum tread depth Virginia Safety Inspection specification is 2/32 of an inch, but the manufacturer may recommend that the tires need to be replaced by 3/32 of an inch to 5/32 of an inch, depending on the tire. 

The spare tire may be as old as your vehicle. When getting new tires, you should also consider replacing the spare, even if it hasn’t been used. Spare tires that are stored in a vehicle can deflate over time. Those located underneath vehicles, such as trucks, are out in the open, where they face weather conditions and debris.

Having a wheel alignment performed when you replace your tires and every 15,000 miles is also important.

If you don’t do a regular wheel alignment, your tires can experience premature wear. A tire with a 60,000 mile tread life can decrease to 30,000 miles.

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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How complicated is a BMW alignment?

In Alignment, Tires and Wheels by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

Potholes, curbs and normal wear and tear can throw off your wheel alignment. Overtime, they can also cause abnormal tire wear, which will shorten the life expectancy of your tires.

Here are a few signs that your BMW needs a wheel alignment:

  • Your vehicle is pulling to one side
  • You notice abnormal tire wear
  • If your Automatic Driver Assist System (ADAS) is engaging when it’s not supposed to 
  • Your steering wheel isn’t centered

Wheel alignments should be conducted annually, and when new tires and steering and suspension components are purchased.

Things to keep in mind when getting a BMW alignment

When performing a BMW alignment, you need to make sure that the auto repair shop has qualified automotive technicians, up-to-date wheel alignment machines, and current software to give your vehicle the best alignment.

On today’s complicated vehicles, one thing that often gets missed is recallibrating the steering angle sensor after performing a wheel alignment. This can affect steering, handling and braking.

Another thing to be aware of is to make sure that you may need to recalibrate the ADAS, which includes lane assist and vehicle avoidance systems. With all of the electronic systems tied together to make sure that everything is safe, a simple tire alignment isn’t so simple anymore.

Discount alignments are not always the best, as you may not have a knowledgeable mechanic working on your vehicle that would know about these systems. Setting the toe and letting it go is not a good alignment.

On many BMW models, there may not be an adjustment for camber and toe, but there are aftermarket parts that can be installed that will bring the alignment into specification. This will help your tires last a long time and allow your vehicle to provide the best handling.

Even when a BMW is new, they are set up to basic specs, but may not have an accurate alignment. After that, it’s recommended that when you get new tires — or every 30,000 miles — you should get your BMW alignment checked. If you live in the Northern Virginia area, your alignment should be checked once a year.

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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Mercedes alignment: Some things to know

In Alignment by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

A Mercedes alignment may be needed if your vehicle is pulling to one side or if its steering wheel isn’t center.

Many factors, such as potholes, curbs and everyday use, can cause tires to go out of alignment.

There are alignment requirements — caster, camber and toe — that make sure your car travels straight and is able to maintain control.

Another thing to consider when getting your alignment done, depending on the year, make and model, you may need to make sure the shop can recalibrate the Automatic Driver Assist System (ADAS). This has to do with lane assist and vehicle avoidance systems. Since the system works with the steering components, this system may need to be recalibrated.

How much does a Mercedes wheel alignment cost?

A standard tire alignment can cost between $95 and $250 for a Mercedes. This doesn’t include taxes and fees. The cost can depend on what make and model the vehicle is, what special tools are required, and what adjustments need to be made that require special kits.

What can throw out your tire alignment?

The wheel alignment of a Mercedes may be impacted by curbs, potholes and everyday use. Tie rod ends, ball joints and other parts affect it, as well.

Is a cheap Mercedes alignment good?

High end European vehicles, such as Mercedes, require the right alignment equipment to calibrate the steering system correctly. It takes knowledge and special tools to make sure it’s done right. Sometimes your budget alignment place may not be the best for your vehicle.

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.