Wheel alignments done by a professional are an important part of owning and driving a car. They ensure your vehicle is safe to drive, help you save on gas and tire expenses, and ensure that your tires last longer. However, given that most people live busy lives, many are wondering how long do alignments take?
Knowing how long it takes for a mechanic to perform an alignment can help you plan for the day, but there are some variables to consider when trying figuring out just how long the process will take.
What Involves a Wheel Alignment?
A wheel alignment is a procedure that includes adjusting the angles of your wheels to ensure they are all parallel to each other, as well as perpendicular to the road surface. This ensures that your car is driving straight and true, and also helps reduce tire wear on your vehicle.
How long does it take to do an alignment? The answer varies, depending on what type of alignment has to be done. There are many types of wheel alignment procedures, but most fall into one of two categories: static and dynamic.
A static adjustment involves measuring the difference in angle between each wheel after turning them individually. Once measured, a technician adjusts each wheel until all sides match up with one another; this process usually takes no more than 10 minutes per side or pair.
A dynamic procedure involves measuring each side individually before testing them on a machine called an alignment rack or some other type of rolling path. The rack uses hydraulic jacks beneath it to simulate real-world driving conditions by allowing drivers to turn left or right at varying speeds while observing their results through cameras embedded in walls around them; a much more thorough method than simply looking at tires’ placement on asphalt.
So, how long does it take to do an alignment aside from static and dynamic?
● Front end alignment and four-wheel alignment duration
Front end alignment usually takes about 30 minutes depending on the make and model of your vehicle, but it can take longer if you need additional work done like replacing parts or tightening bolts. Four-wheeled alignment takes about an hour for one car, but if there are other cars waiting in line then it will take longer.
● An all-wheel alignment
An all-wheel alignment is always more complex than a front-end one since it involves setting up all four wheels rather than just two.
All-wheel alignments take longer to do, but the reasons why are not clear. A few experts say that it’s because the car has to be positioned correctly on the rack; others say that it’s because new tires need to be installed before an all-wheel alignment can be done.
The bottom line is: If you’re going for speed, get your car aligned front end first and then have the rear wheels done separately. The good news is that total time required for a standard four wheel alignment should take around one hour at most shops where equipment is available.
Factors that can Affect Wheel Alignment Duration
If a vehicle is aligned incorrectly, it can cause uneven wear on the tires and increased stress on other parts of the vehicle. The type of vehicle and its driving style will determine how often an alignment is required.
● The number of adjustments to be made
If you have an older vehicle with worn suspension components such as ball joints or tie rod ends, it will take longer for the technician to make all of the necessary adjustments to get your alignment right. A newer vehicle that has been properly maintained should not require many adjustments.
● The complexity of those adjustments
Some alignments require more work than others because they involve more complicated parts of the suspension system or multiple systems on one side of the car (for example, camber and caster). For example, if you want your toe adjusted as well as camber, caster and toe then this will take longer than just adjusting camber and caster together.
● The condition of your tires and rims
Tires and rims are an important part of your vehicle’s suspension system so make sure that these are in good condition before having an alignment done on them; otherwise this may affect how long the alignment takes to complete.
● The condition of the vehicle
The condition of your car’s suspension system can also affect how quickly you can expect your alignment to be completed. Older cars often have worn-out parts that cannot be adjusted without replacing them first, which increases the time needed for this procedure to take place.
● The condition of your alignment equipment/tools
These need regular maintenance so they work properly and don’t break down in the middle of an alignment job.
● The skill and experience level of the technician who does your alignment
If they don’t know what they are doing then you could end up paying for unnecessary repairs down the line.
Tips to Make Wheel Alignment Faster
While the above factors are essential to determine the duration of wheel alignment, it is also critical to note two crucial tips that you can take to prepare for a faster wheel alignment.
● Check your tire pressure
The first thing you need to do is check your tire pressure. This is important because if your tires are under-inflated, they will wear out faster, and you will be more likely to get a flat.
You should check the pressure in your tires at least once a month. It’s best to check them when they are cold, so if you haven’t driven the car or had it parked for several hours, that’s a good time to take a look at them.
You can find the recommended tire pressure on the side of the tire itself. If there’s no sticker on it, you can also look it up online by searching for your specific make and model of car.
● Remove any foreign objects from the wheels
If there are any foreign objects such as nails or screws stuck in your wheels, it will affect how well they can be aligned. The technician will need to remove them before they can do anything else with your vehicle.
FAQs
Can alignment be done in 20 minutes?
The short answer is yes. But it’s not a good idea. Many alignment shops take advantage of the fact that most people don’t know how long it should take to align tires and put up signs that say things like “In and out in 15 minutes!” In reality, many shops do an excellent job of aligning tires quickly, but it doesn’t mean that you’re getting an acceptable alignment if you don’t want to wait several hours.
