Wheel Alignment Service in Northridge, CA

Misaligned wheels can seriously affect your Toyota’s performance. It is crucial to maintain proper wheel alignment to improve your safety as you drive, extend tire life, enhance handling and performance, among many other things. We at Northridge Toyota have provided the following overview to help you understand the benefits of a wheel alignment service and how our Service Department can assist you. Check out our Service Specials before heading to our location in Northridge to have your Toyota model serviced!

Warning Signs

Watching out for warning signs that your Camry or RAV4 may need a wheel alignment can help you to avoid more drastic damage. If you notice the car drifting to one side or another without you moving the steering wheel, this is often a primary sign of misalignment. Pay attention to if the steering wheel is off-center even as you drive straight, as a properly aligned vehicle will not do this. Inspect your vehicle’s tires since uneven tire wear could point to misaligned wheels, where certain tires are bearing more weight and friction than others. Increased road noise or vibration as you drive may be signalling improper alignment, where the tires are pulling against each other and creating more friction than normal.

Types of Alignment Services

To enhance your safety on drives to Dearborn Park, our trained service technicians will utilize the wheel alignment service to improve your handling of the vehicle. The alignment will begin with a service person inspecting the suspension, ball joints, struts, and shocks of your car to determine what is causing the alignment issue. Most Toyota models require a 4-wheel alignment where the camber, toe, and caster angles are adjusted on all four tires. Occasionally, though, a 2-wheel alignment will be used to alter these angles on the front wheels only. When the technician determines the service your car requires, they will adjust or replace the wheels to ensure cohesive operation between each tire. If you believe your Toyota may be in need of this service, make an appointment with us today to ensure your vehicle gets the maintenance it deserves.

Tips for Maintaining Good Alignment

There are a few ways to maintain the proper alignment of your Toyota vehicle after having it serviced. Make sure to schedule checks every 6,000 to 8,000 miles or annually, whichever comes first, as recommended by Toyota. These services should ideally occur during tire rotations, though, as they are independent procedures as this can ensure all four repositioned tires are parallel to each other. Additionally, aligning the wheels when installing new tires helps to ensure even wear as you drive across I-405 and beyond. Immediately check your vehicle’s alignment if you have come across any significant bumps, potholes, or curbs, as these could bump the wheels out of place. Avoid speeding over these obstructions in the road and make sure to reduce your Toyota’s acceleration on gravel or rough roads. Try not to overload the vehicle by distributing heavy loads evenly to reduce the pressure on the suspension. Our Service Department is here to help you with extending your car’s lifespan, so be sure to make an appointment with us soon!