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South_agency/Getty Images August 04, 2022 Allison Hache Rhys has been editing and writing for Bankrate since late 2021. They are passionate about helping readers gain the confidence to take control of their finances by providing clear, well-researched information that breaks down otherwise complex topics into manageable bites. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
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Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track record of helping people make smart financial choices. We’ve maintained this reputation for over four decades by demystifying the financial decision-making process and giving people confidence in which actions to take next. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. All of our content is authored by and edited by , who ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy. Our loans reporters and editors focus on the points consumers care about most — the different types of lending options, the best rates, the best lenders, how to pay off debt and more — so you can feel confident when investing your money. Bankrate logo Editorial integrity
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You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers. We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. The safety features on your vehicle include more than anti-lock brakes, traction control devices and air bags. Your wheels and tires play an important role in helping you drive straight, turn corners and stop whenever necessary. To achieve optimal performance, it is important to have your vehicle tires properly aligned. How much does a tire alignment cost
The complete service typically costs anywhere from $50 to $168, depending on the provider. It should be done once or twice a year, but the exact timing will depend on your car and driving habits. What is a tire alignment
Tire alignment or wheel alignment is the process of adjusting your vehicle’s suspension, making sure that your tires are connecting with the road at the proper angles. Tire alignment ensures that your car works as the manufacturer intended. Having improperly aligned tires could lead to worse gas mileage, more wear on your tires and damage to your vehicle’s components. Factors that impact alignment cost
The number of wheels: A front-end alignment, which involves only the two wheels on the front of the car, typically costs anywhere from $50 to $75. Four-wheel alignments cost more, usually $100 to $168. Type of car: Luxury cars will have more expensive tire alignments, as will models that require specialized equipment or have a design that makes the job more difficult and time consuming. Extra services: Services like tire balancing or car suspension repairs, which the mechanic might need to complete before the alignment, increases the cost of the alignment. Local labor costs: The cost of alignment depends on your location, and it can also vary from mechanic to mechanic. Expected wheel alignment costs
The cost accompanied with a wheel alignment service for your car will range by establishment, type of vehicle and even your ZIP code. Here is a breakdown of the expected cost for a four-wheel vehicle alignment by state for a 2020 Toyota Camry according to Kelley Blue Book’s fair repair range. City State Expected price New York New York $138 to $168 Los Angeles California $119 to $140 Chicago Illinois $138 to $162 Dallas Texas $109 to $128 Orlando Florida $121 to $143 Atlanta Georgia $126 to $148 Richmond Virginia $126 to $148 Phoenix Arizona $126 to $148 Philadelphia Pennsylvania $135 to $159 Charlotte North Carolina $125 to $147 What happens during an alignment
When you take your car into a shop for an alignment, the technician starts by analyzing angles at three checkpoints — caster, camber and toe — by using an alignment machine and performing a visual inspection. Caster is the angle between the steering mechanism’s upper and lower ball joints. This angle affects the vehicle’s steering so that it stays at the proper height and has more stability at higher speeds. Camber is the angle between the road and the tire. This determines how much of the tire comes in contact with the road and can affect how the tires wear. Toe is the angle between the tires. This setting affects the wear of the tires and stability when turning. Some mechanics also take the vehicle on the road for a test drive to check for signs of alignment problems, like a steering wheel that vibrates or a vehicle that veers to the left or right when the steering wheel is in a resting position. The mechanic then compares the angles with the manufacturer’s recommendations for best performance. After completing the analysis, the technician places the vehicle on an alignment rack and mounts what are called targets to the wheel ends. The technician then uses the machine to adjust the caster, camber and toe until they are within the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended ranges. Most mechanics take the vehicle out for another test drive to check the new adjustments to make sure everything functions properly. Why vehicle alignment matters
Regularly adjusting your vehicle’s alignment offers several benefits that save you time, give you a smoother ride and keep you safer on the road. Properly aligned tires maintain better contact with the road’s surface by extending the life of your tires and reducing skidding on slick roads. This also reduces rolling resistance and better absorbs road shock, resulting in improved gas mileage and a smoother ride on paved surfaces. During the alignment, your mechanic may discover worn suspension parts, giving you an opportunity to replace them before they turn into a costly or dangerous mechanical problem that takes your car off the road for an extended period. Getting your alignment
You can get an alignment done at any local mechanic or auto repair center. If you don’t have a relationship with a mechanic, call around for quotes or use resources like to compare prices in your area. While you should call ahead for an appointment, the wheel alignment itself should take only about an hour. With that said, the process could take longer if the mechanic finds any underlying issues or needs to replace additional components. The bottom line
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SHARE: Allison Hache Rhys has been editing and writing for Bankrate since late 2021. They are passionate about helping readers gain the confidence to take control of their finances by providing clear, well-researched information that breaks down otherwise complex topics into manageable bites. Related Articles