How Often Should You Get a Wheel Alignment?

One of the most common questions we hear at Strong's Alignment Services is: "How often do I need a wheel alignment?" It's a great question — and the answer can save you hundreds of dollars in premature tire wear.

The General Rule: Every 6,000–10,000 Miles

Most automotive experts recommend getting a wheel alignment every 6,000 to 10,000 miles , or at least once a year. However, certain conditions in Connecticut can accelerate misalignment:

• Potholes: Connecticut's harsh winters create potholes that can knock your alignment off in a single hit.
• Curb impacts: Even a minor curb strike while parking can shift your alignment angles.
• Worn suspension parts: Aging tie rods, ball joints, and control arm bushings allow alignment drift.

5 Warning Signs You Need an Alignment

1. Vehicle pulls to one side — If you let go of the steering wheel and your car drifts left or right, your alignment is off.
2. Uneven tire wear — Look at your front tires from the front of the car. If one edge is worn more than the other, you need an alignment.
3. Crooked steering wheel — If your steering wheel isn't centered when driving straight, your toe angle is off.
4. Vibrating steering wheel — Misalignment causes uneven tire contact, leading to vibration at highway speeds.
5. Squealing tires — Misaligned tires scrub against the road surface, creating a squealing sound during turns.

Why Precision Alignment Matters

At Strong's Alignment Services, we use the Hunter HawkEye Elite alignment system — the same technology used by dealerships. This equipment measures all four wheels simultaneously with camera-based sensors, achieving accuracy to 1/100th of a degree.

A proper alignment adjusts three critical angles:

• Camber: The inward or outward tilt of the tire when viewed from the front.
• Toe: Whether your tires point inward or outward when viewed from above.
• Caster: The angle of the steering pivot, which affects straight-line stability.

The Cost of Ignoring Alignment

Driving with misaligned wheels can cut your tire life by up to 50 % — meaning you'll replace tires twice as often. A wheel alignment costs a fraction of a tire replacement, saving you thousands over your vehicle's lifetime.

Schedule Your Alignment Today

Located at 195 Silver Lane in East Hartford, CT , Strong's Alignment Services has been the Greater Hartford area's alignment specialists for over 25 years. Walk-ins welcome Monday through Saturday — no appointment needed for most services.

Call us: (860) 569 - 1440