Virginia Tire & Auto: The Best Value and Technology for Your Alignment
What is a wheel alignment?
An alignment is an adjustment of a vehicle’s suspension system to ensure the proper positioning of the vehicle’s wheels relative to the road. Your car’s tires should be both parallel and perpendicular to the road surface whenever you drive. This positioning extends the life of your tires, helps you drive safely, improves gas mileage and offers you real peace of mind.
When our technicians check your vehicle’s wheel alignment, they are looking at three things: camber, toe and caster angles.
Camber:The inward or outward angle of the tire when viewed from the front of the car.
Toe:The inward or outward angle of the tire when viewed from above the vehicle.
Caster:The angle of the steering axis when viewed from the side of the vehicle.
Computerized vs. Premium Alignment
At Virginia Tire & Auto of Vienna, we offer two types of alignment service: computerized and premium. Most domestic/Asian vehicles need our computerized alignment service, which includes:
- Inspecting steering and suspension systems
- Checking tire wear condition
- Inspecting and adjusting tire pressures
- Comparison of current alignment to vehicle manufacturer guidelines
- Determining if any additional parts are necessary for proper alignment
- Computerized adjustment of wheel camber, caster and toe angles
A premium alignment is required for all European vehicles. This is because they have a more complex steering and suspension setup and require electronic resets that aren’t on the average vehicle.
We stand by a 6-month/6,000-mile warranty on both computerized and premium alignment services.
Four-Wheel Alignment vs. Front-End Alignment
Back in the day, cars’ wheel alignment could only be set for the front set of wheels, so it was called a front-end alignment. But most modern vehicles have four-wheel independent suspension, which allows for all four wheels to be aligned. The most common reason to need a front-end alignment is for light- or heavy-duty trucks. This is because most trucks have a solid rear axle, which is non-adjustable.
At Virginia Tire & Auto of Vienna, our computerized alignment service is everything you need, whether all your vehicle’s wheels can be adjusted or just the front two.
What can cause my car to go out of alignment?
Running over potholes, bumping something hard, or running into a curb with too much force are common reasons for an alignment issue. A driving mishap isn’t always the cause of an alignment problem, though. Sometimes age and normal use damage your car’s suspension and, over time, cause your tires to slowly lose their alignment.
That’s why we recommend getting your car’s alignment checked annually or every 12,000–15,000 miles. This service costs $69.50. We’ll also check it anytime we install new tires on your vehicle as part of our package.
How do I know if I need a wheel alignment?
Drift
Drift is a dead giveaway that your car is out of alignment. Drift means that your car has a tendency to move (pull) toward one side of the road or the other. If you need to rotate the steering wheel at an angle to keep your car moving straight ahead, you probably need to get your wheels aligned.
Irregular Treadwear
Take a look at your tires—are the treads wearing evenly? If you are unsure of what to look for, here are some hints:
Sawteeth –Feel your tire. Does the sensation remind you of saw teeth? These patterns are a common sign of an irregular tire wear condition called heel/toe tire wear.
Feathering –Do you notice scuffing across your tire tread, or smooth sides alternating with sharp sides? This may be feathering, which is caused by improper alignment settings.
One-sided shoulder wear –If you notice that one side of your tire is wearing down faster than the tire as a whole, this is one-sided shoulder wear. This is a result of caster and camber issues.
Strange Steering
Is your steering wheel behaving oddly? A vibrating or off-center steering wheel are both symptoms of an alignment issue. It’s also harder to steer when your car’s wheels are out of alignment, which can be dangerous in any traffic situation. Proper alignment results in better handling ability and safer driving.
Why Choose Virginia Tire & Auto of Vienna for Wheel Alignment?
We use cutting-edge technology from Hunter Engineering to precisely adjust the angles of your vehicle’s wheels. And, our tire experts go through regular training to stay up to date on the latest industry technology and best practices.
Schedule Your Car Alignment in Vienna, VA
Next time your car needs an alignment, drop by your or schedule a check-in time online! Our team will be glad to help with your car’s wheel alignment and get you back out on the road.
