Poked about the Web. Advice on wheel alignment ranges from checking twice a year to doing nothing unless your rig battles you to stay on the straight and narrow or there is abnormal tire wear. I have been a do nothing guy, but had a flat on my Subaru Crosstrek and I needed to rotate tires anyway so took it to local Les Schwab Tire dealer and they took care of flat and rotation gratis, even though I bought the tires at Costco. But, they mentioned abnormal wear on front left tire and recommended four-wheel alignment for $132. I looked. The tires are a year and a half old, maybe 14K, Bridgestone dueler? You could make an argument, I suppose, but really while there was some minor wear... I have felt no pulling or anything, but told them to go ahead. Figured the rotation, which they normally charge $38 USD for and the flat, I don't know $20? Might as well be safe and come out sort of even. So, what is everyone's stance on alignment?
Unless I buy a new set of tires or hit something really hard - I usually leave the alignment alone.....
If I see abnormal tire wear, feel abnormal behaviour on-road or both, just align it. They go out, you re-align, golden.
Good price actually if you take as $132 for all three services. My tire guy, whom has retired told me long ago that you can have your car aligned and within a month or several it will technically be out of adjustment again, especially if you drive the roads I drive. Also, a driver gets used to any slight pull or other indication of misalignment. So, you needed the alignment, I am sure. Whether it bought you any more miles with the tire(s) or prevented the misalignment from affecting any other systems on the vehicle, who's to say. I have 60K and never have had it checked. Maybe I should kris
In the past, I did an alignment when getting new tires. Now I check for uneven wear when rotating by actually measuring tread depth across the tire. Out of spec camber may not be noticed by driving. The Outback's rear camber can be 3 degrees from the factory, with no way to adjust without aftermarket parts.
I check my alignment every time I drive the car. A more thorough inspection is done when I change the oil (@ 3k)...rotate the tires (every 5k) etc..... I haven't paid for an alignment in the last.....40 years?
