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How long does an alignment take? It’s a question that many car owners have, but it can be hard to find the answer. Alignments are essential for safety and performance, but they can also take up valuable time if you don’t know what to expect. 

Get the answers you need with Driverevolve‘s comprehensive guide. Learn how to maximize efficiency and get back on the road in no time!

What Happens If You Don’t Align Your Car? 

Aligning your car is an essential part of vehicle maintenance that should not be overlooked. Not only does it help ensure a smooth and comfortable ride, but it also helps to extend the life of your tires and other components by reducing wear and tear. But what happens if you don’t align your car?  

Not aligning your car can cause problems, including increased tire wear, decreased fuel efficiency, and uneven wear on brake pads. In addition to these issues, it can cause your vehicle to pull to one side or the other while driving, making it challenging to keep the car straight. This can be very dangerous if you’re on a busy highway or in an unfamiliar area. 

Ultimately, not aligning your car can lead to costly repairs down the line due to excessive wear and tear on parts that would otherwise be fine if the alignment was done properly.
Fatal accidents could occur if you put off an alignment. – Car Treatments

Ultimately, not aligning your car can lead to costly repairs down the line due to excessive wear and tear on parts that would otherwise be fine if you had the alignment done correctly. 

How Long Can You Go Without An Alignment?

This is a question that many car owners ask, as they want to know whether or not their vehicle needs to be aligned regularly. While the answer should be clear-cut and straightforward, several factors are at play when determining how often your vehicle needs an alignment. 

The most crucial factor to consider when determining how long you can go without an alignment is your driving type. If you typically drive on highways and straight roads, your vehicle will likely not need an alignment as often as someone who drives more frequently on winding roads with sharp turns.  

You may need an alignment more often if you have a long commute where you drive on both straight and winding roads. It is also essential to consider the type of terrain that your vehicle is driven on, as off-roading can cause your car’s components to move out of alignment quickly. 

How Often Should You Have An Alignment? 

Generally, getting your car aligned at least once a year is recommended, or any time you notice signs of misalignment, such as pulling to one side while driving or your steering wheels shaking at 60 mph. 

Additionally, if you’ve recently had major work done on your vehicle (such as replacing the tires or suspension), it is vital to ensure that you get an alignment as soon as possible. 

This is because the new parts can cause your car to be out of alignment, and it’s much better to address the problem right away rather than wait for major issues to arise. 

Another factor to consider when determining how often your vehicle needs an alignment is the age of your car. As cars get older, they become more prone to misalignment due to wear and tear on their components. Additionally, older vehicles tend to need alignments more often since their factory-set alignment may have been compromised over time.
Many factors decide how often to have an alignment. – Auto Deal

Another factor to consider when determining how often your vehicle needs an alignment is the age of your car. As cars get older, they become more prone to misalignment due to wear and tear on their components. Additionally, older vehicles need alignments more often since their factory-set alignment may have been compromised over time. 

Finally, the type of tires you have installed on your vehicle can affect how often it needs an alignment. Tires with more aggressive tread patterns will require more frequent alignments since they tend to wear down faster than other tires. 

2 Signs That You Need An Alignment 

Whether you’re a car enthusiast or just a casual driver, it is crucial to understand the signs that your vehicle needs alignment. As mentioned above, without proper alignment, your car may suffer from decreased performance, fuel economy, and uneven tire wear. 

Fortunately, there are some telltale signs that your car needs an alignment so you can take action before any damage occurs. 

One sign that your car needs an alignment is if it pulls to the left or right when you’re driving. Not only does this make for a less-than-enjoyable driving experience, but it can also be unsafe in certain situations. If you find yourself having to constantly adjust the steering wheel while driving, then an alignment may be necessary.
Knowing the signs that an alignment is necessary helps protect both you and your car. – Meineke 

One sign that your car needs an alignment is if it pulls to the left or right when you’re driving. Not only does this make for a less-than-enjoyable driving experience, but it can also be unsafe in certain situations. An alignment may be necessary if you constantly adjust the steering wheel while driving. 

Another sign is if your car shakes when accelerating. Your car’s tires should always be in contact with the road, and any vibration can indicate something isn’t quite right. It could also mean your vehicle has misaligned wheels or uneven tire wear. This can cause excessive stress on your suspension components and lead to costly repairs in the future. 

If you’re experiencing any of these issues, getting an alignment as soon as possible is essential. If left unaddressed, the problem can worsen and potentially damage other components in your car. 

How Long Does An Alignment Take? 

The total time depends on various factors when it comes to getting your alignment done. 

Similar to an oil change’s duration, on average, alignments can take anywhere from a half hour to 2 hours, depending on the severity of your car’s alignment issues or if multiple adjustments are needed. 

The first step to getting your alignment done is visually inspecting your vehicle. During this, a technician will check the suspension and steering components for any wear or damage and measure tire tread depth and pressure to ensure everything looks good. 

The first step to getting your alignment done is a visual inspection of your vehicle. During this, a technician will check the suspension and steering components for any wear or damage, as well as measure tire tread depth and pressure to make sure everything looks good.
An alignment usually doesn’t take long to finish. – NRMA 

The technician will inspect other related items, such as brakes, shocks, struts, tie rods, ball joints, and suspension bushings, to ensure they are in good condition. Once the inspection is complete, it’s time to move on to the actual alignment. 

The process of getting your vehicle aligned usually consists of adjusting the wheels’ camber, caster, and toe angles. The technician will use an alignment machine to measure and adjust each angle. The process usually takes about 30 minutes but can take longer, depending on the severity of your vehicle’s alignment issues and if multiple adjustments are needed.

After the alignment is complete, the technician will check for tire pressure changes and road test your car to ensure everything looks good. 

FAQs

Can You Align Your Car At Home? 

Although it may be tempting to try and save time and money by aligning your car at home, this is generally not recommended. Alignments require specialized equipment and knowledge of the different systems to be properly done. Doing an alignment at home could lead to inaccurate results or, worse, dangerous road conditions.  

Will An Alignment Fix A Crooked Steering Wheel?

Occasionally, a crooked steering wheel can result from an alignment issue. If your car pulls to one side when driving and the steering wheel is uneven, then an alignment may be necessary to fix the problem. It’s important to note that not all crooked steering wheels are caused by misalignment, so it’s best to have your vehicle inspected by a professional technician. 

Should You Realign Back Wheel?

If your vehicle’s front wheels have been recently aligned, it is also generally recommended to realign the rear wheels. This will help ensure that all four wheels are correctly aligned and avoid potential problems in the future.

Conclusion 

How long does an alignment take? On average, alignments usually take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the severity of your car’s alignment issues.

Having a properly aligned vehicle is essential for optimal performance and safety. Schedule an alignment as soon as possible if you’re experiencing any of the warning signs discussed above. A good alignment job can save you money in the long run and give you peace of mind knowing that your car is safe on the road. 

For similar posts, visit our Fun Driving section.

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