Alignment
Reliable, Fast Tire Alignment in New Braunfels, Texas
Proper wheel alignment is a critical safety service for all your driving in New Braunfels as well as San Antonio, San Marcos, Hunter and Selma areas.
Proper wheel alignment from Quick Lane Tire and Auto Center at Bluebonnet Motors in New Braunfels contributes to prolonged tire life, improved fuel economy, and enhanced driving experience while providing a paramount aspect of safety. 
Alignment services should be considered a part of routine vehicle maintenance. Proper wheel alignment impacts performance and cost of ownership.
Consider: Routine alignment playing a pivotal role in ensuring the safety of both the vehicle and its occupants.
Alignment issues can arise from normal everyday driving throughout Comal or Bexar Counties. Taking care of your vehicle’s wheel alignment helps you navigate the Loop 337 Freeway, Interstate 35 and Highway 46.
All vehicles encounter issues that knock alignment out of whack. Some of the common causes include accidents, driving over a pothole or running into a curb. Even an accumulation of normal everyday obstacles like speed bumps, little potholes or bumpy roads over a period can take a toll on your vehicle alignment.
What is an Alignment?
Also known as tire or wheel alignment, this procedure involves adjusting your vehicle’s wheels so that they are perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other.
Technicians take readings for each wheel using sensors to determine the angle they impact the road surface. They begin the alignment process by driving your vehicle onto an alignment lift and fitting sensors onto each tire. The sensors are then measured by a computer to determine three angels of the tire–toe, caster and camber.
Wheel toe alignment
“Toe” angle is the most common adjustment made to vehicles and is calibrated with the steering wheel pointed straight ahead. It refers to the tilt of the wheel inward or outward from the front to back when viewed from above.
That is, does your tire point in a straight line from front to back? Or does it look like your wheels are turned left or right when viewing from the top?
The measurements are determined with the steering wheel pointing straight ahead.
Wheel caster alignment
“Caster” alignment is viewed from the side and measures the forward or backward tilt of the steering axis. The ideal caster angle is slightly forward of the center axis, also known as positive caster. Negative caster is when the angle is towards the rear of the center axis.
Camber alignment
“Camber” refers to the inward or outward tilt of the wheels from the top to bottom relative to the road surface. The ideal camber reading for most vehicles should be close to zero, indicating a vertical orientation or 90-degree angle relative to the road surface. Most cars are within one degree of vertical and usually a negative camber, tilted inward, to improve handling.
Difference between an alignment and balancing tires
Tire balance and alignment may get confused as the same thing but they are distinctly different procedures. Both procedures are important for tire longevity, handling and braking.
Tire balancing makes sure that weight is equally distributed around the entire wheel. Signs of a tire being out of balance are a vibrating steering wheel, floorboard and/or seat when in motion without the brakes being applied.
Tire balancing usually is recommended every 5,000 to 6,000 miles and can help extend the lifespan and performance of the tire. Check your vehicle owner’s manual for manufacturer specific recommendations.
Does my vehicle need an alignment if the tires are rotated?
Alignment does not replace the need for regular tire rotation. Instead, it complements rotating tires.
Also, rotating tires without checking alignment could cause steering, braking and tire wear issues. The tire rotation service moves them to different locations or positions on the vehicle.
Your vehicle is designed to have a different weight from front to back. In most vehicles, the heavier weight of the engine and drivetrain cause the front tires to wear faster than the rear tires.
Not performing regular tire rotations can lead to uneven tire wear, shorten tire life and lead to buying a new set of tires earlier than anticipated.
General guidelines recommend that you rotate your tires every 5000-8000 miles. Usually, drivers should get vehicle tires rotated at the same time as an oil change.
Tire rotation at Quick Lane Tire and Auto Center in New Braunfels is included in The Works® Oil Change package.
What are signs that you need an alignment?
- Your vehicle is pulling to one side of the road
- Tire treads are wearing out prematurely or unevenly
- Tires are squealing
- Steering wheel position is off-center when you're driving in a straight line
- Steering wheel vibrates when accelerating
Is it safe to drive a vehicle out of proper alignment?
Proper wheel alignment is synonymous with stability and control on the road.
Aligned wheels provide a vehicle with optimal handling, minimizing the risk of skidding or loss of control, especially in challenging driving conditions. Misaligned wheels can contribute to hydroplaning during wet conditions, posing a serious safety concern.
A stable vehicle is a safer vehicle, helping to reduce the likelihood of accidents. Through proper alignment, the tires maintain consistent contact with the road, enhancing overall safety, particularly in adverse weather conditions.
Aligned wheels play a crucial role in emergency handling, allowing drivers to respond promptly and safely to sudden obstacles or the need for quick maneuvers. A vehicle with proper alignment provides drivers with the confidence to navigate unexpected situations, contributing to overall road safety.
Also, properly aligned wheels optimize braking efficiency by ensuring uniform brake pad contact. This not only enhances braking performance but also reduces the risk of accidents, especially in emergency braking situations where reliable stopping power is essential for safety.
When should an alignment be done?
Here are answers to commonly asked questions about tire alignment and tips for preventing abnormal tire wear or damage to your vehicle’s steering components.
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Installing a new set of tires or replacing a single tire. Get the most value out of your new set of tires by checking alignment before you drive out of the New Braunfels or San Antonio areas. Your tire purchase is an investment in safety. Assure you get the most out of your investment by extending the tread life of your tires, increasing gas mileage and improving vehicle handling.
- Raising or lowering your vehicle. Changing the height of your vehicle changes the toe, camber and caster angles. check alignment whenever you replace any of your suspension or steering components.
- Replacing or adjusting suspension components. New shocks or struts can change the angels of the tires and wheels as well. A different brand of shock or strut might have a different ride height then the previous brand and therefore a different angle on the tire.
- Encountering accident or hard impact (curb, pothole, road debris). Any hard impact can knock your vehicle out of alignment. If your vehicle sustains steering damage–shocks, struts, ball joints, tie rods, bushing or control arms–chances are your alignment no longer meets factory specs. Look for telltale signs your vehicle may need an alignment–uneven tire wear, vehicle pulling to one side and other common indicators. Or drive to Quick Lane Tire and Auto Center in New Braunfels so our steering experts can check your vehicle’s alignment.
- Seeing uneven steering wheel or tire wear. Uneven tire wear shows up as more tread on the inside of the tire than the outside or vice versa. Uneven tire wear can cause your vehicle to pull to one side. It also may require you to adjust your steering wheel slightly to one side or the other so the vehicle rolls straight. This problem is also known as an “uneven steering wheel.” The problem can cause permanent damage to your vehicle's tires, steering or suspension components. Get an alignment inspection at Quick Lane Tire and Auto Center New Braunfels.
- How often should I get an alignment? You should have your alignment checked at least once a year or around 6,000 to 8,000 miles. You only need an alignment if your toe, caster or camber angles are out of specifications.
- What are the benefits of tire alignment? Alignment inspection and adjustments are important preventative maintenance for the safety of you and your family. Also prolongs the life of your tire and can help in acheiving better fuel mileage.
Top reasons why tire alignment is important
The service experts at Quick Lane at Bluebonnet Motors in New Braunfels can help assure the safety of your vehicle and family whenever you travel. Ask for alignment inspection after every oil change service, every time you purchase a new set of tires or if you plan to a road trip.
Tire alignment benefits:
- Prevents uneven tire wear through regular wheel alignments, extends tire life and contributes to safer driving.
- Ensures consistent traction to help reduce the likelihood of tire blowouts and failures–two critical safety concerns, especially when traveling in remote areas.
- Reduces stress on the suspension components, contributing to the integrity of the suspension system. This, in turn, minimizes the risk of sudden failures that could compromise safety, providing an additional layer of protection for both the vehicle and its occupants.
- Saves money by extending tire life, improving fuel economy, and enhancing vehicle handling through regular alignments.
- Delivers a secure and reliable driving environment for your next journey. Proper tire alignment is an investment in the safety of you and your family.
