How Often Car Alignment Should Be Done – And Why It Matter?

Wheel alignment is one of those maintenance tasks you might not think about until your car starts handling strangely—or worse, your tires wear out prematurely. But how often should car alignment be done, and why is it so critical—even on brand-new vehicles?

Real Experience Shows: New Cars Can Be Out of Alignment

You might expect alignment issues after hitting a pothole or running into a curb. But what if I told you that 10% of brand-new cars can already have alignment problems straight off the lot?

My friend invested in wheel alignment tool to enhance his service quality. With this advanced tool, he began checking the alignment on every new vehicle that came through his shop, even those with only a few miles on the odometer. The results were surprising—approximately 1 in every 10 brand-new cars showed signs of misalignment. These were vehicles that hadn’t been driven extensively, yet their wheels were already out of alignment.

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This discovery highlighted how alignment issues can occur before a customer even takes full delivery of a car, often due to handling during transportation or dealer transfers.

Why Do New Cars Have Alignment Issues?

New vehicles undergo quite a journey before reaching your driveway. Whether shipped by train, truck, or boat, they’re loaded, unloaded, strapped down, and moved multiple times. Even after arriving at a dealership, cars may be transferred between locations through dealer trades, and who knows how carefully those miles are driven?

All that movement increases the chances of minor (or major) alignment shifts. And even small misalignments can cause uneven tire wear and performance issues in just a few thousand miles.

The Hidden Cost of Ignoring Alignment

One of the most expensive lessons a driver can learn is the cost of replacing tires prematurely. Some misalignments cause wear on the inner edges of tires—damage that’s not immediately visible. That happened to me. I had to replace four oversized tires at a cost of over $1,000 because of hidden, alignment-related wear.

And remember, tire wear isn’t the only concern. When your vehicle is out of alignment, three major problems may occur:

1. Irregular Tire Wear: Often starting on the shoulder, this can significantly reduce tire lifespan.

2. Handling Issues: A pulling sensation or constant need to correct your steering can indicate misalignment.

3. Crooked Steering Wheel: A misaligned steering wheel can interfere with driver assist systems, which rely on accurate steering angle sensor data.

Ignoring these signs can lead to more expensive repairs down the road and potentially compromise safety.

So, How Often Should Car Alignment Be Done?

While there’s no universal mileage rule, here are expert-backed guidelines:

• At least once every 1–2 years, even if no symptoms are present.

• Any time you buy new tires—to protect your investment.

• After hitting a pothole, curb, or accident.

• When you notice signs like tire wear, pulling, or a crooked wheel.

When purchasing a new or used car, be sure to request a computerized alignment printout from the dealer. Many service centers now use advanced alignment tools and often provide alignment checks at no cost. Identifying and addressing alignment issues early can help you avoid uneven tire wear, handling problems, and costly repairs—potentially saving you hundreds or even thousands of dollars over time.

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Final Note

Getting your alignment checked regularly is one of the simplest, most cost-effective ways to protect your vehicle and tires. It ensures your car handles safely and prolongs tire life. And now that you know even new cars aren’t immune, it’s wise to be proactive—not reactive—about alignment maintenance.

Affiliate Disclosure:

This article contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase, at no extra cost to you.

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Dony Garvasis

Dony Garvasis is the founder of Search Ethics, a platform dedicated to transparency, authenticity, and ethical digital practices. With over six years of experience in SEO and digital marketing, I provide expert content on automobiles, technology, gadgets, and online strategies. My mission is simple: Ethical Search, Genuine Results—ensuring users worldwide receive credible, useful, and up-to-date content.

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