The Importance of Wheel Alignment

Ontario is the pothole capital of Canada, and potholes are the number one cause of misalignment. Every spring, frost heaves crack the road surface and create craters that can jolt your suspension hard enough to knock wheels out of specification. A single hard pothole hit can cause hundreds of dollars in premature tire wear if the alignment is not corrected.

Signs of Misalignment

• Steering wheel pulls to one side on a flat, straight road
• Steering wheel sits off-centre when driving straight
• Uneven tire wear on inside or outside edges
• Vehicle feels loose or wanders at highway speed

How It Costs You Money

Misaligned wheels cause tires to scrub against the road at an angle instead of rolling straight. Even a small misalignment reduces tire life by 10 to 25 percent. On a set of tires that cost $800, that is $80 to $200 wasted. An alignment correction costs $120 to $180 — it pays for itself in tire savings.

When to Get Alignment Checked

• Every spring after pothole season
• After any significant pothole impact
• When installing new tires
• If you notice any of the symptoms above
• After any suspension component replacement

An alignment check (without adjustment) costs $90 to $120 at most Ontario shops. A full four-wheel alignment with adjustments runs $120 to $180. Many shops offer alignment packages with tire purchases.

Combined with regular rotation and proper inflation, correct alignment extends tire life significantly and improves fuel economy by 2 to 3 percent.