Tires & wheel alignment
Straight, smooth and sure-footed.
Pulling to one side, a shaky steering wheel or tires wearing on one edge? We help you choose the right tires, mount and balance them properly and align your wheels so they wear evenly and last.
Warning signs
Your tires tell the story.
Tire and alignment problems usually show up as a feeling in the steering wheel or a pattern on the tread. If you notice any of these, let us take a look.
Bulge, cut or cords showing? Don’t drive on it. Sidewall damage can fail without warning. Put the spare on if you can, then give us a call.
- The car drifts or pulls to one side on a straight, level road
- The steering wheel sits off center when you’re driving straight
- Vibration in the wheel or seat, often around highway speed
- Uneven wear: one edge, the center, or scooped patches in the tread
- The tire pressure (TPMS) warning light is on or flashing
- Bulges, deep cracks or cuts in the sidewall
- Tread worn down to the wear bars, or cords showing through
What we do
Everything between your car and the road.
Tire advice & installation
We help you choose tires that suit your vehicle, your driving and your budget, then install them with lug nuts torqued to spec.
Mounting & balancing
Each tire mounted and balanced with properly placed weights, so the steering wheel stays smooth at highway speed.
Tire rotation
Tires moved between positions on a regular schedule, following your manufacturer’s pattern, so the set wears evenly and lasts longer.
Flat repair
Punctures in the tread area repaired properly from the inside. Sidewalls can’t be safely repaired, and we’ll tell you straight when a tire needs replacing.
TPMS sensors
Tire pressure sensors tested, replaced and programmed to your vehicle, so the warning light means something again.
Wheel alignment
We measure toe, camber and caster, adjust them to your manufacturer’s specifications where your vehicle allows, and center the steering wheel.
Wear pattern guide
Read your tread like we do.
How a tire wears says a lot about what’s happening underneath. Take a close look across the tread and compare it with these common patterns.
Both edges worn
Usually low tire pressure. An underinflated tire sags and wears on its shoulders.
What helpsMonthly pressure checks, set to the number on the door jamb.
Center worn
Usually too much air. An overinflated tire bulges in the middle and wears there first.
What helpsSet pressure to the door-jamb spec, not the maximum on the sidewall.
One edge worn
Usually alignment, with camber or toe out of spec, or worn steering and suspension parts.
What helpsAn alignment check and a look at ball joints and tie rods.
Cupping or scalloping
Scooped dips around the tread. Often worn shocks or struts, or a wheel out of balance.
What helpsA suspension inspection and a wheel balance check.
How much tread is enough?
Tread depth is measured in 32nds of an inch. Many new passenger tires start around 10/32″ or 11/32″, and grip on wet roads drops as that number shrinks.
- 10/32″A typical starting depth for many new passenger tires.
- 4/32″Many experts suggest replacing around here for better wet-road traction.
- 2/32″The legal minimum in most states. Replace right away.
The penny test
Put a penny in a groove with Lincoln’s head down. If you can see the top of his head, you’re at 2/32″ or less.
The quarter test
Same idea with a quarter and Washington’s head. If you can see the top of it, you’re near 4/32″. Time to start shopping.
Built-in wear bars
Small raised bars sit across the grooves. When the tread is flush with them, it’s down to 2/32″.
Our tire & alignment process
Measured, mounted and road tested.
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Inspect & measure
We measure tread depth, check pressures and read the wear pattern on every tire.
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Talk options
If you need tires, we suggest a few that fit your vehicle, driving and budget. If you don’t, we’ll say so.
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Mount & balance
Tires mounted, balanced and torqued to spec, with TPMS sensors checked and reset.
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Align & road test
When it’s needed, we align to spec, center the steering wheel and road test for pulls and vibration.
Tire & alignment FAQ
Tire questions, answered.
Not sure if it’s the tires, the alignment or something else? Call and describe what you’re feeling. We’ll help you narrow it down.
Good to know: check your tire pressure once a month with the tires cold, using the number on the driver’s door jamb, not the maximum printed on the sidewall. Expect it to fall about 1 psi with each 10°F drop in temperature.
How often should I rotate my tires?
A common guideline is every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, which lines up with many oil change intervals, but check your owner’s manual for your vehicle’s recommendation. Regular rotation helps all four tires wear evenly, so they last longer and handle more predictably.
Do I need an alignment when I get new tires?
It isn’t always required, but it’s a smart time to check. An alignment that’s out of spec can start wearing a new set unevenly from day one. We look at the wear on your old tires, and if the pattern points to alignment, we’ll recommend it.
Can my flat tire be repaired?
Often, yes, if the puncture is in the tread area and about 1/4 inch or smaller. Punctures in the sidewall or shoulder, large cuts, or a tire that was driven on while flat usually can’t be safely repaired. We inspect the tire from the inside before deciding, and a proper repair is a patch and plug applied from the inside.
Why is my tire pressure light on?
A steady light usually means one or more tires are well below the recommended pressure, which is common when temperatures drop. Check and fill to the pressure on the driver’s door jamb sticker. If the light flashes for about a minute and then stays on, it usually points to a problem with the monitoring system itself, such as a sensor with a dead battery.
Why does my car vibrate around 60 mph?
A vibration that shows up around highway speed and eases as you go faster or slower is most often a wheel that’s out of balance. A bent wheel, a tire with a shifted belt or worn suspension parts can cause it too. If it shakes mainly when you brake, the brakes may be the cause.