Front End Alignment

[Botany]

Yesterday Mrs. Botany took the 2007 Vibe in for an oil change. The staff at Bridgestone indicated they would rotate tires for free, so she knew that was something I had mentioned and had them do that. They then stated the car was in need of an alignment for $69.99. Smart gal, for she stated the car is 1 yr old, has 14k miles, does not pull, and thus no alignment was needed. They assured her it was and "sometimes it does not feel out of alligment, but it is." Yea, right. This is why I do not trust auto repair/tire shops. Charge me for what I need (in this case an oil change), but don't try to rip me off.

[CoolBunny]

You are probably right, but I don't want to rain on your parade. Check your tires wear pattern just in case they are right. I know someone that had a 6 month old car that did not pull to either side but when he rotated the tires noticed that the inner side of one tire seemed to have a little more wear than the other. So he got a tire wear gauge and checked them, and for sure it needed an alignment. He went to the dealer an they aligned the car no charge since they could not find any scuff marks on the tires that would indicate he hit something. But he did have to spend some time arguing with them of course

[808 Vibes]

Oooh...they tried to pull that on me the last time. (less than 20,000 miles) I said "I only have enough for the oil change" and that was the end of that!

[Raven]

I have a 1999 GMC 4x4 with over 110,000 miles that has seen some rough usage and has never had an alignment.If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[ColonelPanic]

Click and Clack on CarTalk say the #1 reason to need an alignment is due to an alignment. If it ain't broke don't fix it is so true!I had a dealer I took the Hyundai to who habitually tries to force an upsell on you, they tried to tell me I needed an alignment because I was at 30k. Doesn't pull, not wearing the tires funny, don't mess with it. Then they threatened to void my warranty since I refused this "necessary" service, good luck with that one! I refuse to go back there now. They'll use any excuse they can to get a few more bucks from you.

[ToolGuy]

Yes I am with the others here! Sounds like a money grab attempt. Next time ask them to show you that your tires are wearing funny to justify it. Well OK maybe not that because then they will make something up but in general if your tires are wearing evenly and the car drives straight, you do not need an alignment!

[chris777]

Interesting. I took my dads van to get some tires a few months ago right after I got the vibe, and they offered a lifetime alignment service. I was interested, because of all the times I had to get an alignment before on other vehicles. But he said when I told him about it that he hadn't had any problems with their highlander, and I have hit , and had my dad, and my buddy nail some potholes when I let them drive, and the other day I was messing and she is still straight as an arrow.

[ebiv2003]

i agree fully with CB here, watch the tire wear very carefully. i had costco rotate and balance my tires after about half wear and they strongly suggested an alignment (they do not do them), i kinda lost track of their suggestion partly because the car still tracked fine, but then next rotate the wear was serious and i had no choice but to get alignment and buy all new tires.........learned my lesson on tire wear signs.

[Vibe_dude]

Depending on the roads that you drive on, you should have a alignment done once a year.its just alot cheaper to have one done then it is to buy new tires.not to even mention how much more easier on gas your car would be too.As far as alignments go.I can not keep my vibe in alignment seems like evry lil crack I hit on the road takes it out just a lil bit,and after about a month its right back where it was before I had it done.These cars are tire eaters anyway,I have never seen a car(outside a muscle car)wear tires like the vibe and matrix,it must be because they are top heavy.every dealer I have talked to about gettin tires from all say the same thing too.

[pljenkins]

I'm of the school of alignment "as needed". However, this requires that you keep an eye on your car! If you're doing your own oil changes and rotations, you're already attuned to this, but suffice it to say, you should always regularly inspect your tires for any kind of damage or funky wear, just on the basis of keeping yourself alive!That being said, I've been through three sets of tires on this thing, and I've just about to turn 115,000 miles. The set the car was delivered on had to be the worst set of tires I have every driven on. I can't remember what the '03's were equipped with, but by about 30,000 miles of regular driving (I'm pretty conservative in my driving) they had scalloped and were making a horrible noise. I then made the mistake of going to Wally World and got another set of substandard tires which got me to 80,000 miles, barely.Last set I put on were Yokohamas. Not cheap, but with the already stellar handling this car gets on ice and snow, I needed something decent. These tires are wearing perfectly. Look really good.