Car Alignment Services
Having a properly aligned is essential for a vehicle to drive efficiently. You don’t want to let alignment problems get out of hand. A badly aligned vehicle can be hazardous or just plain annoying to drive.
To have the best driving experience possible, you need to bring your vehicle to Ethan’s Honest Auto for alignment. Our specialists can align any vehicle. By regularly bringing your vehicle to Ethan’s Honest Auto for alignment, you will ensure any alignment issues are promptly caught and remedied. As a locally owned and operated business, Ethan’s Honest Auto takes pride in providing honest and friendly car repair services, including alignment, to Logan, Utah and Cache Valley.
What is alignment?
Alignment refers to the process of setting all of the vehicle’s wheels in a straight line. The wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle need to be parallel to each other. The wheels on the same side of the vehicle need to be directly in front of or behind each other.
A straight alignment makes sense and may seem self-explanatory. however, it is very easy for your alignment to slip. Tires can get pushed out of place because of regular wear and tear.
Misalignment happens because of the way that your tires are connected to the suspension system. The components that connect your tires to the car’s suspension are prone to wearing and breaking. As they wear, the tires are less securely held to the suspension, which causes them to turn.
Another reason for misalignment is bumps and jolts from the road. If you hit a pothole or bump a curb, your tires could get pushed out of alignment. Accidents can, obviously, also cause this to occur.
How do I know if I need an alignment?
You can expect that your vehicle will need the tires aligned at some point in its lifetime. There is not a handy light that will tell you to have your tires aligned. Instead, the best thing that you can do is have the alignment checked often.
Most experts recommend that you have an alignment once or twice per year. The procedure takes about an hour. Since you will likely already be bringing your vehicle to Ethan’s Honest Auto for regular oil changes and scheduled maintenance, you should have your alignment checked at the same time. Since our specialists will already be examining your vehicle, this is a great time to also check up on the alignment and fix any issues.
You can also schedule a specific alignment appointment. Just make sure to have the appointment recurring so that you don’t forget and go too long without having your tires aligned.
Finally, there are a few signs you can look for that will tell you your tires are aligned badly.
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- Pulling to one side or the other.
- Your steering wheel will not return to the center position.
- Other steering issues.
- Tires wearing unevenly.
How is my vehicle aligned?
The alignment procedure is a little different depending on your vehicle’s suspension. There are three main types of tire alignment: front-end, thrust, and four-wheel.
Front-end wheel alignment only adjusts the front axle. If you do not have a four- or all-wheel drive vehicle, you only need a front-end alignment. The experts at Ethan’s Honest Auto can tell you if this type of alignment is best for your vehicle.
Thrust angle wheel alignment works best in vehicles that have a solid rear axle. In this procedure, the front wheels are aligned to the rear axle.
Four-wheel alignment squares all four wheels by aligning both the front and back axels separately. This type of alignment is the most comprehensive and is recommended for four-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles.
If you have any questions or concerns about the alignment procedure for your vehicle, please call Ethan’s Honest Auto in Logan, Utah. Our friendly customer service professionals can walk you through the process. You can also read our wheel alignment guide to learn more about this process.
Why is alignment important?
Having properly aligned tires ensures that your vehicle drives optimally. With proper alignment, your tires will last longer and your entire drive will be smoother.
The biggest risk of driving on an improperly aligned vehicle is uneven tire wear. This not only causes your ride to be less smooth, but it will also reduce the lifespan of your tires. Tires that wear evenly have a uniform pattern of wear across their entire tread. If one side of the tire is more worn than another, you likely have an alignment problem.
Another consequence of improperly aligned tires is the wear and tear caused on the suspension and steering components. Just as you wear your tires faster with bad alignment, the same occurs with the suspension and steering. To keep needed repairs to a minimum, you need to ensure your vehicle is properly aligned by bringing it to Ethan’s Honest Auto in Cache Valley regularly.
FAQs About Alignments
A typical wheel alignment service usually takes about an hour for most vehicles. For four-wheel-drive vehicles, the alignment process may take a bit longer, often around 1 to 1.5 hours, due to the additional adjustments required to ensure all four wheels are aligned properly. The exact time can also vary depending on the condition of your suspension and any repairs that may be needed.
For efficient and precise alignment service, visit the professionals at Ethan’s. Our team will have you back on the road with optimal handling and tire performance in no time.
A wheel alignment is an essential service that adjusts the angles of your vehicle’s wheels to meet the manufacturer’s specifications. Proper alignment ensures that your tires make even contact with the road, improving handling, extending tire life, and enhancing fuel efficiency. Misalignment can occur from everyday driving, particularly if you hit a curb, pothole, or encounter rough road conditions.
If you notice signs of poor alignment—like uneven tire wear or your vehicle pulling to one side—contact the experts at Ethan’s. We’ll restore your alignment for a safer, smoother drive.
Our vehicle’s suspension system governs its efficiency and safety. If you drive on a suspension that is not aligned, it can cause permanent damage. Additionally, your vehicle will likely be much less safe, and harder to drive, than it would be if the suspension was aligned.
There are other benefits to regular alignments as well. First, your tires will wear out more evenly and last longer. Second, your vehicle will use less gas, which saves you money. Third, and most importantly, the vehicle will be easier and much more enjoyable to drive.
Sometimes your vehicle may have alignment problems, even if you regularly get the alignment checked. Here are a few signs that you may have an alignment problem.
- Your vehicle wanders to one side of the road or the other when the steering wheel is straight.
- You are going in a straight line, but the steering wheel is turned.
- You hear tires squealing when you make a turn.
- You notice that your tires are wearing unevenly.
If you notice any of the above signs, it is time to bring your vehicle to Ethan’s for an alignment adjustment.
A great time to have your alignment checked is when you have new tires put on your vehicle. During this time mechanics will already have your vehicle in a lift, which makes checking the alignment easy. Plus, you will not get as much life out of your new tires if they are misaligned.
Finally, you regularly need new tires. If you make a habit of having your alignment checked every time you put new tires on your vehicle, this maintenance will never be overlooked. Having the alignment checked annually is another good rule-of-thumb to follow.
You should bring your vehicle in for a regular alignment. If you do not, it is easy for your suspension to get out of whack. This occurs because wear on springs and bushing affects the alignment of your suspension.
Anytime you drive you are putting wear on the suspension. If you are an aggressive driver, regularly carry heavy loads, or drive on a damaged suspension, then the misalignment can be even worse. Regular alignments ensure that your suspension is always in peak condition.
Alignment, not a hard process. In fact, it is fairly simple when done by a professional. Mechanics, like those at Ethan’s Honest Automotive, have a machine called an alignment machine, which does the work.
The alignment machine is hooked up to your vehicle. It takes digital measurements of your vehicle’s entire suspension system. The machine then adjusts the position of the suspension until the readings show the complete alignment of the suspension. Obviously, alignments were performed without an alignment machine. However, doing an alignment by hand is much more time-consuming and work-intensive.
Services provided by Ethan’s include:
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Oil Changes
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A/C Service
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Brakes
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Tire Rotation
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Windshield Wipers/Washer Fluid
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Wheel Bearings
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Differential Services
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Coolant Flushes
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Struts
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Transmission Services
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Tune Ups
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Shocks
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Brake and power steering services
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Timing Belts
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Tie Rods
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Rack and pinion
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U-Joints
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Ball Joints
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4-Wheel Drive
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