Wheel Alignment & Balance Financing

Proper alignment and balance extend tire life, improve fuel economy, and ensure safe handling. When your vehicle pulls, vibrates, or wears tires unevenly, Tresl helps you afford the corrections your car needs.

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🎯 4-Wheel Alignment
⚖️ Tire Balancing
🏎️ Performance Alignment
🔧 Suspension Check
$80-$200Standard Alignment
$50-$1004-Wheel Balance
25%+Tire Life Extension
7.99%APR Starting Rate

Alignment vs Balance: What's the Difference?

These are often confused but address completely different problems.

Wheel Alignment

$80-$200

What It Is

Adjustment of suspension angles that control how tires contact the road. Technicians adjust camber, caster, and toe to manufacturer specifications using precision equipment.

Signs You Need It

  • Vehicle pulls left or right
  • Steering wheel off-center when driving straight
  • Uneven tire wear (inside or outside edge)
  • After hitting a pothole or curb
  • After suspension work or new tires
  • Every 12,000-15,000 miles (preventive)

Tire Balancing

$40-$100

What It Is

Equalizing weight distribution around the tire/wheel assembly. Small weights are added to counteract heavy spots, allowing smooth rotation at all speeds.

Signs You Need It

  • Vibration in steering wheel at certain speeds
  • Vibration in seat or floorboard
  • Cupped or scalloped tire wear pattern
  • After new tire installation
  • After tire rotation
  • Every 5,000-7,500 miles (preventive)

Understanding Alignment Angles

Three adjustable angles determine how your tires meet the road.

The Three Alignment Angles

↕️

Camber

Inward or outward tilt of the tire when viewed from the front. Negative camber tilts top inward; positive tilts outward.

Too much wear: Inside edge (negative) or outside edge (positive)
↔️

Toe

Direction tires point relative to centerline when viewed from above. Toe-in points inward; toe-out points outward.

Causes: Feathered wear pattern, rapid tire wear, pulling
↗️

Caster

Forward or backward angle of steering axis when viewed from side. Affects steering stability and return-to-center.

Uneven caster: Pulling to one side, wandering steering

Common Symptoms & Solutions

Match your symptoms to the most likely cause and solution.

↔️
Vehicle Pulls to One Side

Car drifts left or right when driving straight on a level road. You constantly correct the steering to go straight.

Solution: Wheel alignment (check tire pressure first)
📳
Steering Wheel Vibration

Vibration felt in steering wheel, typically at highway speeds (55-70 mph). May come and go at different speeds.

Solution: Tire balancing (check for flat spots too)
Crooked Steering Wheel

Steering wheel is tilted or off-center when driving straight. Logo not level even though car goes straight.

Solution: Wheel alignment adjustment
〰️
Uneven Tire Wear

One edge of tire worn more than other, or cupped/scalloped pattern across tread surface.

Solution: Alignment for edge wear, balance for cupping
🔊
Humming or Droning Noise

Constant road noise that changes with speed. May be louder in turns. Different from engine noise.

Solution: Check for tire damage, may need balance or replacement
🎯
Wandering or Loose Steering

Vehicle feels unstable, wanders on highway, requires constant corrections to maintain lane.

Solution: Alignment plus suspension inspection

Alignment & Balance Pricing

Costs vary by vehicle type and service level.

ServiceStandard VehiclesTrucks/SUVsLuxury/Performance
2-Wheel (Front) Alignment$50-$80$60-$90$80-$120
4-Wheel Alignment$80-$130$100-$150$150-$250
Performance Alignment$150-$250$175-$300$250-$400
Tire Balance (4 wheels)$40-$80$50-$100$60-$120
Road Force Balance$80-$150$100-$175$120-$200
Alignment + Balance Package$100-$180$130-$220$180-$350

💡 When to Get Both Services

After installing new tires, get both alignment and balance. New tires need balancing, and it's the perfect time to check alignment since you're starting fresh. Many shops offer package discounts for combined services.

Why Alignment Matters for Tire Life

Proper alignment can extend tire life by 25% or more. When wheels are misaligned, tires are literally being dragged sideways as they roll, scrubbing off rubber with every mile.

A toe misalignment of just 1/8 inch causes the equivalent of dragging your tire sideways 28 feet for every mile driven. Over 15,000 miles, that's 79 miles of sideways scrubbing—no wonder misaligned tires wear out prematurely.

The cost of alignment ($100-$200) is far less than premature tire replacement ($400-$1,000+). Regular alignments pay for themselves in tire savings alone, not counting improved fuel economy and safer handling.

Wheel alignment equipment

⚠️ Suspension Issues Affect Alignment

Worn suspension components (ball joints, tie rods, control arm bushings) can make proper alignment impossible. A good shop will inspect suspension before aligning and recommend repairs if needed. Aligning with worn parts wastes money—it won't hold.

Finance Your Alignment Service

Why Finance Alignment Work?

Sometimes alignment issues reveal worn suspension components that need replacement first. What starts as a $100 alignment can become a $500-$1,500 repair. Financing covers the complete job.

  • Borrow $500-$5,000 – Cover alignment plus any suspension repairs
  • APR from 7.99% – Competitive rates
  • 24-hour decisions – Fast approval
  • Use any shop – Dealer, independent, or chains

Sample Monthly Payments

Amount12 Mo24 Mo
$500$45/mo$24/mo
$800$71/mo$38/mo
$1,200$107/mo$57/mo
$1,500$134/mo$71/mo

*Estimated at 12.99% APR

Alignment & Balance FAQs

How often should I get an alignment?
Most manufacturers recommend checking alignment every 12,000-15,000 miles or annually. However, get it checked immediately after hitting a significant pothole or curb, after any suspension repair, or if you notice pulling, uneven tire wear, or a crooked steering wheel.
Will new tires fix my alignment problem?
No. New tires don't change alignment angles—your suspension determines alignment. In fact, installing new tires without correcting alignment will just cause the new tires to wear unevenly. Always align after new tire installation.
What's the difference between 2-wheel and 4-wheel alignment?
2-wheel alignment adjusts only the front wheels. 4-wheel alignment adjusts all four and ensures the rear wheels are parallel to the front. Most modern vehicles need 4-wheel alignment, especially those with independent rear suspension or adjustable rear components.
Why does my car still pull after alignment?
Several possibilities: tire pressure imbalance (most common—check first), tire conicity (manufacturing defect causing pull), brake drag on one side, or worn suspension components that prevent proper alignment. A good shop will diagnose the root cause.
What is road force balancing?
Road force balancing simulates actual road conditions by pressing a roller against the tire while spinning. It measures tire stiffness variations and wheel roundness that standard balancing misses. Recommended for persistent vibration issues or high-performance vehicles.

Extend Your Tire Life Today

Proper alignment and balance protect your tire investment. Get approved for financing in minutes.

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