Four wheel alignment?

I just got an email from my local dealer suggesting I come in for a four wheel alignment before winter sets in. They state that the car needs an alignment every year to prevent uneven tire wear. I can't remember the last time I had an alignment done on ANY of my cars (30 years ago maybe?)

I also have all-wheel drive. Is this all the more reason I need to consider this?

No, nonsense.
Go to a regular tire place who have the alignment equipment. I pay $68 plus tax at Town Fair Tire, but not necessary annually.

Are the tires wearing unevenly or is the car pulling to one side or another, vibration in the steering column, or the steering wheel is no longer centered...these are signs that an alignment may be needed. Annually makes no sense to me, unless your roads a full of pot holes

I'm getting vibration in my steering column only when braking. Not to hijack the OPs thread, but would this be a symptom of needing an alignment?

Originally Posted by Oceans10

No, nonsense.
Go to a regular tire place who have the alignment equipment. I pay $68 plus tax at Town Fair Tire, but not necessary annually.

Thanks for your suggestion, but Town Fair is the LAST place I would go to have an alignment done! They can't even balance a tire properly. (We both live in CT)

Originally Posted by Jay Arras

I just got an email from my local dealer suggesting I come in for a four wheel alignment before winter sets in. They state that the car needs an alignment every year to prevent uneven tire wear. I can't remember the last time I had an alignment done on ANY of my cars (30 years ago maybe?)

I also have all-wheel drive. Is this all the more reason I need to consider this?

Don't bother unless you feel you car is pulling to a side. I would also start ignoring that dealer.

Originally Posted by core22

I'm getting vibration in my steering column only when braking. Not to hijack the OPs thread, but would this be a symptom of needing an alignment?

A wheel alignment usually would not cause this problem. I would do the easy stuff first, check your wheel balancing. If that doesn't fix it I would have the brakes checked, it could be a bad caliper not releasing completely. I had the same problem on my e53 and gs, once they replaced the front calipers it was good.

Originally Posted by Oceans10

No, nonsense.
Go to a regular tire place who have the alignment equipment. I pay $68 plus tax at Town Fair Tire, but not necessary annually.

+1

Only worry if the shop says they don't know why there are 6 versions of your car in the system and they think they picked the right one.

Originally Posted by core22

I'm getting vibration in my steering column only when braking. Not to hijack the OPs thread, but would this be a symptom of needing an alignment?

This is a sign of warped brake rotors

Just heard back - it is indeed out of round front rotors. Oddly these were purchased brand new over the summer and installed about 6 weeks ago. Hopefully I will be able to work with Modbargains or StopTech on a warranty claim.

Now back to your regularly scheduled discussion - sorry to derail the thread

Originally Posted by core22

Now back to your regularly scheduled discussion - sorry to derail the thread

That's okay, Core, I think we're done.

Originally Posted by core22

Just heard back - it is indeed out of round front rotors. Oddly these were purchased brand new over the summer and installed about 6 weeks ago. Hopefully I will be able to work with Modbargains or StopTech on a warranty claim.

Now back to your regularly scheduled discussion - sorry to derail the thread

Sounds like you didn't bed the pads properly to the new rotors. If you don't, you'll get an uneven coating of material on the rotors and they will act as though they're warped even though the rotors really aren't.