How often should I do a wheel alignment?

What determines how often you need an alignment?

Your car’s maintenance guidance, road use and recent repairs determine when you should check alignment. Alignment describes how the wheels are positioned relative to the car and the road; checking it does not automatically mean adjustment is necessary. Start with the owner’s manual, then tell the shop about impacts, changed steering feel and tyre wear. A recommendation based only on elapsed time may miss an important event that happened since your last visit.

In Georgia, consider the roads you actually use rather than choosing a schedule just because another driver follows it. Rough surfaces, potholes and occasional journeys on damaged mountain roads are useful context for the mechanic. Tbilisi traffic alone does not establish an alignment interval, but an encounter with a deep pothole or kerb may justify a check. If you cannot find guidance for your particular model, ask the shop to explain its recommendation and what evidence supports it.

Should you check alignment after hitting a pothole?

You should arrange an alignment check after a hard pothole impact, especially if the car feels different afterwards. First, consider whether the impact caused a more immediate tyre, wheel or suspension problem. From a safe stopping place, look for visible tyre damage or an obviously damaged wheel without going underneath the car. If you notice a bulge, substantial damage, strong vibration or difficulty controlling the vehicle, ask a shop or roadside assistance provider about safe transport rather than continuing normally.

An alignment adjustment cannot repair a damaged tyre, bent wheel or worn suspension component. Tell the mechanic which side took the impact and whether pulling, noise or vibration began immediately or later. A small road bump without any change does not prove that adjustment is needed, but an uncertain or severe impact is worth discussing. Ask for inspection and measurement first, so that the response matches what happened rather than treating every pothole as the same job.

• Describe the impact and which wheel or side was affected.
• Report any new pulling, vibration, noise or steering change.
• Ask whether damage needs attention before alignment can be checked.

Do new tyres always mean you need an alignment?

New tyres are a reason to check alignment, but they do not automatically mean the settings need adjustment. The aim is to avoid starting a fresh set of tyres with an unresolved problem that could affect their wear. Ask the shop to inspect the old tyres before removing them and describe any uneven wear you have noticed. If alignment measurements are within the manufacturer’s specifications and the relevant components are sound, ask whether any adjustment is actually necessary.

Keep alignment separate from wheel balancing when discussing the job. Alignment concerns wheel positioning, while balancing addresses uneven weight distribution in the wheel and tyre assembly; one does not replace the other. Vibration needs diagnosis rather than an automatic alignment booking. Also ask the shop to check tyre condition and inflation against the vehicle’s guidance. Avoid using a pressure value suggested for another car, even if its tyres look similar to yours.

When does suspension or steering work require a check?

Suspension or steering repairs can make an alignment check necessary because the work may affect wheel positioning. Tell the shop exactly what was repaired or replaced, including work done elsewhere. Not every repair has the same effect, so ask whether that particular job requires measurement or adjustment under the vehicle manufacturer’s procedure. The useful question is not simply whether the car has had repairs, but whether those repairs could have changed the alignment or exposed an existing problem.

Alignment also depends on the condition of the parts that hold and steer the wheels. If there is looseness or damage, the shop may need to address it before making an adjustment that can remain reliable. For an imported used car with incomplete records, share whatever invoices, inspection notes or previous damage information you have. Do not assume that a recent alignment recorded by a previous owner rules out a problem following later repairs or an impact.

What should you check if the car pulls or tyres wear unevenly?

You should have pulling or uneven tyre wear investigated, but neither symptom identifies alignment as the only possible cause. Tyre condition, inflation differences, road slope and mechanical faults can also affect how the car behaves. Notice whether the symptom is persistent and whether it occurs during ordinary driving or braking, without deliberately testing the car in unsafe conditions. Describe those observations to the mechanic rather than asking for an adjustment as a guaranteed cure.

Look at the visible tread across each tyre when the car is safely parked, and note whether one edge appears more worn than the other. Do not crawl under an unsupported vehicle to inspect hidden areas. A steering wheel that appears off-centre during straight driving is another observation worth reporting. If the car suddenly becomes difficult to control, treat that as a safety concern requiring prompt professional advice, not something to postpone until your next routine service.

• Check the owner’s manual for tyre inflation guidance.
• Note which tyres show wear and where it appears.
• Explain whether pulling happens while cruising, braking or both.
• Report any recent impact, tyre change or steering repair.

What should you ask the shop before booking?

Ask the shop to inspect the relevant components, measure alignment and explain whether adjustment is needed for your car. Give your model details, symptoms and recent repair history when booking. Ask whether the service includes a record of the measurements and how any additional findings will be discussed with you. If worn or damaged parts are discovered, request a clear explanation of the proposed work and its price before agreeing, rather than assuming everything falls within an alignment visit.

You can use junto.ge/services to find car services by service, price, place and the next free time, then book online; the shop confirms the visit. Include the reason for your check so the shop understands whether you are coming after an impact, repairs or new tyres. With Junto, shops can send suggested work for approval by SMS, letting you see each line with its price before work starts. This helps you distinguish the alignment request from any separately proposed repairs.

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