Front end alignment
 

Need recommendation where to go for front end alignment. Will be getting new tires this week and costco service. Thank you

Firestone in Oxford

I forget how much they charge for an alignment, but regardless, for an additional something like $40 you can get their "lifetime alignment", which gives you free alignments at any Firestone in the country for as long as you own the car. Well worth it imo.

I have used Wildwood Tire for over 10 years, there were a few alignments in that period, very satisfied with their work.

Did you hit curve ? Does car go sideways down road? Does your old tires show signs of out of alignment?

I think to get that "additional $40" deal is only if you had just purchased 4 brand new tires from Firestone. Otherwise, if you just want their "Lifetime Alignment" package, it is something like $250 or more.

Another caveat, Firestone mechanics might tell you "We can't do your free alignment UNLESS you replace your worn tie rods, or you replace your bad ball joints, or your shocks have to be replaced".

I have had actual experience with Firestone back in the 1990s, I purchased a coupon book which allowed me 10 alignments (I think it cost me like $199). Almost everytime I went in for one of my prepaid 10 alignments, Firestone would find something wrong with my front end which needed replacement, otherwise they would not do the alignment. It all seemed to be a scam way for them to get you into their shop and then sell you their overpriced services.

:doh::$:

Tires Plus on east side of 441/27 in Leesburg; across from Aldi and Harbor Freight, just south of Walmart. 2 thumbs way up.

Front end alignment
 

Many thanks for all your responses. They were very helpful in making my decision.

Check Sumter tire on 301. They do my oil changes, tire rotations, and I get new tires from them.

Second on Sumter Tire.

Many reasons why all vehicles should get an alignment after X many miles/new tires. Mileage being the number 1 reason. Parts wear. Ball joints, tie rod ends and the like come to mind. I haven’t had a vehicle yet that didn’t NEED one at that time. The one time I didn’t get an alignment with the car bought new, getting new tires, original tires wore evenly. The new tires wore unevenly because I didn’t get an alignment.

Watch the prices at Sumter Tire. Their price for a 4-wheel alignment starts at $185. Firestone charged me $123. Their price for new tires was also higher. When I needed a new AC compressor, Sumter Tire was $900 higher than 3 other competing auto shops.

Just moved here and still need an oil change/tire rotation shop. Sumpter Tire charged me $40 to change my oil. Using my own oil & filter that I supplied. Never again! And another $20 for a tire rotation.
For comparison, my old shop charged me $20 for the same service! Including the tire rotation. As they charged for their time, not the service.

Agree.

Changing tires does not change alignment.

Unless you have hit something or notice uneven wear or vibration on the old tires, alignment is probably optional/insurance.

dittos Wildwood Tire

I always get a wheel alignment when I buy new tires. Firestone will check the alignment for free and not charge anything if it doesn't need an alignment.

Up charge IMO in most cases. My car has 72K. I replace the original tires not for wear but for age. Didn’t get alignment cause there was no need. But, that’s me.

Sumter Tire and auto on 301 in Wildwood

And there is risk they can make things worse.

A good sign is if the shop has recent Hunter Engineering computer guided alignment equipment.

Standard Alignment Machines | Hunter Engineering Company(R)

I am not a car guy. I recently bought 4 new Michelin tires from Firestone for $1,200. They checked the alignment for free and showed me a color printout of the results which indicated a few adjustments that needed to be made. I authorized the work and they charged me $123 for an alignment. Are you saying that I should have rejected the extra alignment charge?

I found the customer service guy behind the counter at wildwood tire to be rude, unprofessional, and lacking basic in automotive maintenance knowledge. After purchasing a new tire, I asked them to reinstall the original valve cap that they had removed and that seemed to upset him. I then asked if they used a torque wrench on the lug nuts and he said no. He said that they change a lot of tires and know what they are doing. With their total lack of detail and lack of basic maintenance procedures for modern vehicles I would never return there for anything.

THANKS, another reminder of how thoroughly we should check EVERY detail of that, and all other "offers". It's sooooo easy to read ONLY what you want to see, and NOT what you don't want to know. Same with extended warranties , home protection programs, pest "control", etc. etc. Starting with the premise that there has to be genuine benefit to the people or business extending the offer would be a good place to begin analysis, if the odds are not on the side of the "house", why even build the "casino" ?

I also had a bad experience at Wildwood Tire. I knew that I needed a new AC compressor, but they said that I didn't. Apparently, they had no interest in pricing or installing it. They just did not want to do the job, so they said the AC was working fine. Go figure. They charged the refrigerant, which it did not need and wasted my time and money. I will not be returning.

Whenever I get new tires, I always pay a little extra to have each tire Balanced. After ten years with the same tires, never had any adjustment problems.

Every installation of new tires I have ever seen includes balancing.

My two cents worth. First of all two cents worth comes from the price a glass of seltzer.
Due to inflation it is now around a dollar. Probably noticed same thing on tire prices.

Your post says you bought tires at Costco. I've never done that, Do they not mount and balance them for you. Out of alignment? Depending on the car, many are fixed alignment with only toe in and toe out adjustment. Did Costco say there are problems. Mentioned by others Wildwood Tire. been happy with them. Aside-I bought my tires from them.

Depends on a number of things including the calibration and setup of the alignment machine and the training/skill of the technician.

For future reference, If the vehicle is tracking straight, the steering wheel is centered, and especially if the old tires ALL have an even wear pattern, an alignment probably isn't needed.

(Former design engineer for Hunter Engineering)