What is the rule of thumb or recommended mileage your vehicle should have to have a wheel alignment done? Is it based on miles or for example should it be done every one or two years? I own front wheel drive(Honda Civic) and four wheel drive (Jeep Patriot).

I do it every few years when getting tires. Usually something is out of spec by then. Opinions will probably vary.

I’d say it’s probably based more on driving style and road conditions more than anything else. I haven’t had my car a year yet, but the way the roads are around here, an alignment might be a good birthday present for it.

If you drive on good roads and never bump into curbs, you could go a very long time. We had the CV joints replaced on our Nissan 5 years ago. That’s the fist time ever it had ben done, 7 years afyer buying the car. Tire wear is normal so far. As other say, it depends on the car and the driving env…

It’s cheap insurance. I have mine done once a year. When I do I’m not experiencing a problem…but about every other time the alignment is out of spec…and many times WAY out of spec. A bad alignment can cause premature failure of other front-end components.

I generally have it done when I have some reason to suspect a problem or before putting on new tyres.

There is no single, simple answer to this. Some cars hold alignment very well. Then some vehicles alignment seems to drift without cause, some are easily knocked out of alignment, and some drivers routinely whack into curbs and potholes. With a car that hold alignment well (the Civic) I’d recomme…

I have it performed when I replace tires. I buy top tier tires and don’t want them ruined (for life) due to a poor alignment. The cost at tire replacement is typically well discounted as a service when you get the whole package.

There was this 87 Tempo that ate tie rod ends. I used to have the alignment done every two years. Other cars may go longer without “needing” anything. The 87 Mazda pickup truck I had didn’t seem to require a lot of alignments because it was built so much tougher than a Tempo. I recommend an alignme…

Keep an eye on your tires, they will tell you when you need an alignment. Check them at every oil change and check the pressure at least that often. As long as the car handles and steers properly and the tires wear evenly, don’t mess with the alignment.

How often should a wheel alignment be done?

Maintenance/Repairs

waterboy February 22, 2011, 11:16pm 10

My rule of thumb is minimum at new tire installation. Checking the wear patterns in between new tire purchase and looking for signs, such as the inside of the tire wearing faster than the outside of the tire would also indicate an alignment is needed to preserve maximum tire life.

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How often should a wheel alignment be done?

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