First Alignment Today

[87and66]

Taking the stinger in for a 4 wheel alignment today after noticing some uneven wear on the tires. I drive 60+ miles a day (luckily that will change in about a week) so it happened pretty fast. Feels kinda premature to need an alignment though. I'm at 15,500 miles. Does that seem odd? It's my first new car, so I'm no stranger to needling alignments, but I figured it should take longer to need one. Maybe I'm beating too many Subarus and the aggressive driving had something to do with it . Kidding. Kinda.

 

[Ulikefishsticks]

Well that could be from a lot of different factors. Depends on the roads you drive, how hard you drive the car. I used to live in upstate NY and the roads were terrible, seems like I was always getting my alignment done. 60 miles a day is on the higher end of average commute distance.

 

[MisterMac]

Chances are your car needed an alignment at time of delivery and has been out of alignment ever since.

 

[87and66]

Chances are your car needed an alignment at time of delivery and has been out of alignment ever since.

That’s possible, but I don’t think that’s the case. The tires looked perfect until recently. And I’ve had the car for 8 months. The road by my new job is ROUGH. I’ve been working there for about 2 months. I’m sure that hasn’t helped.

 

[MisterMac]

That’s possible, but I don’t think that’s the case. The tires looked perfect until recently. And I’ve had the car for 8 months. The road by my new job is ROUGH. I’ve been working there for about 2 months. I’m sure that hasn’t helped.

Nonetheless, recommend alignment intervals are 4,000 - 5,000 miles.

 

[87and66]

Nonetheless, recommend alignment intervals are 4,000 - 5,000 miles.

Really!? That seems unnecessarily often. I could see 12,000. But what do I know.

 

[SKStinger]

Nonetheless, recommend alignment intervals are 4,000 - 5,000 miles.

I wouldn't say it is a regular interval type of service. As long as the car is tracking straight (doesn't pull right or left on even pavement) and you regularly inspect your tread for even wear, there is no need for an alignment.

That's always been my mentality and the Owner's manual states the same:

 

[MisterMac]

I wouldn't say it is a regular interval type of service. As long as the car is tracking straight (doesn't pull right or left on even pavement) and you regularly inspect your tread for even wear, there is no need for an alignment.

That's always been my mentality and the Owner's manual states the same:

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One can always choose to ignore recommended maintenance.

I've had plenty of times when my vehicle gave no indication of misalignment, yet it was misaligned.

 

[SKStinger]

One can always choose to ignore recommended maintenance.

I've had plenty of times when my vehicle gave no indication of misalignment, yet it was misaligned.

Recommended maintenance? By who? The dealership?

A co-worker just asked me if she should get a wheel alignment on her Acura MDX when they install her winter wheels because the dealer "recommended" it. She's done it for years and it's absolutely not required. It's a total cash grab to the tune of $150.

The only time an alignment is required is when you notice uneven wear (I check monthly), when the vehicle track is untrue and after a change in suspension (ie. a drop).

 

[Rob M]

I agree ^. Alignment on a street vehicle is a repair issue, not a routine maintenance issue. OP, what kind of unusual wear are you noticing? Toe or camber wear? Those are the only types of irregular wear that would be attributable to an alignment issue.

 

[MisterMac]

The only time an alignment is required is when you notice uneven wear (I check monthly), when the vehicle track is untrue and after a change in suspension (ie. a drop).

Not required, yet recommended by tire manufacturers (who are the only ones supplying a warranty on your tires). Check it out, or not. You maintain your vehicle your way, I'll do mine. For simplicity, matching tire balancing, rotation and alignment with your oil change interval works very well. Again, it is your choice, but it makes no sense to me to not maintain the only pieces of the automobile that consistently come into contact with the road with the same fervor I maintain my engine.

I purchase a lifetime alignment package from Firestone when it is on sale.

 

[MisterMac]

Not required, yet recommended by tire manufacturers (who are the only ones supplying a warranty on your tires). Check it out, or not. You maintain your vehicle your way, I'll do mine. For simplicity, matching tire balancing, rotation and alignment with your oil change interval works very well. Again, it is your choice, but it makes no sense to me to not maintain the only pieces of the automobile that consistently come into contact with the road with the same fervor I maintain my engine.

I purchase a lifetime alignment package from Firestone when it is on sale.

Additionally, on the Stinger, steering angle sensor(s) recalibration is part of a wheel alignment.

 

[87and66]

I purchase a lifetime alignment package from Firestone when it is on sale.

interesting. I tried to schedule an alignment with Firestone and they said they don’t have the software to reset the steering angle sensor, so I had to go to the dealership. And not my local dealership, since they couldn’t get me in for another 2 weeks.

OP, what kind of unusual wear are you noticing? Toe or camber wear? Those are the only types of irregular wear that would be attributable to an alignment issue.

toe wear for the most part. One tire looks like it has slight camber wear.