Wheel alignment is an essential repair that you can’t ignore. With all the increases in the cost of living, people tend to search for ways to save money on everything, including car repairs.
Since Walmart continues to offer good deals on many products, we get lots of questions about wheel alignment costs at Walmart.
In addition to answering the question about wheel alignment cost at Walmart, we will compare the wheel alignment price at Walmart and other companies.
Also, we would like to give you an overview of what wheel alignment means. Why do you need to have your car’s wheels aligned? And how to tell that your vehicle needs wheel alignment.
What does wheel alignment mean?
Alignment is defined as an adjustment of the automobile’s suspension, which is the system that connects the vehicle to its wheels. Alignment is not a change to the tires or wheels. Proper alignment starts with the adjustment of the angles of the tires to how they contact the road.
When the wheels are misaligned, the angle and direction of the tires differ. This leads to excessive and uneven wear on the tires, as well as causing the vehicle to drift either right or left.
Straightening rider turn angles is simple, and so is correcting alignment by a dealership service department, tire retailer, or automotive service center.
The best wheel adjustment, like any other adjustment, has an expiration date regardless of time. The adjustment could be put at risk for newly purchased cars due to a chance bump with a curb or a hole on the road.
Such forces can instantly cause vehicles to get misaligned. Generally, alignment can worsen gradually over an extended period without being noticed as parts begin to wear out.
Why do I need to do wheel alignment?
If you know that a wheel alignment is needed for your car, it is best that you take it to a mechanic without delay. Failing to schedule a wheel alignment may result in the following problems:
- Smoother ride: Riding on a smooth surfaced road offers one of the best experiences, but it can be fully enjoyed with a car alignment. Aligned wheels reduce tire rolling resistance and shock absorption, thereby achieving better rides for the driver and the passengers.
- Even tire wear: Worn-out tires result from non-aligned wheels because some oblique force leads to the tire not making proper contact with the road surface. We know how costly tire replacements are. However, with proper alignment, a vehicle can exert better contact against the road and thus, aids in the prevention of wear and tear of the tire and better maneuverability on smooth roads.
- Better handling: Wheels that aren’t aligned correctly can cause problems with steering, like pulling to one side or the other, which can prove to be irritating and also quite critical. A car alignment helps cars maintain optimal control and stability while driving, thereby ensuring predictable and safe rides, which is particularly crucial in reaction to threatening situations or driving in adverse weather conditions.
- Reduced Fuel Costs: Everyone appreciates saving money at the gas station, don’t they? A properly executed car alignment does exactly that. Improperly aligned wheels create resistance and drag, causing the engine to exert extra effort to maintain speed, thus consuming an increased amount of fuel. A vehicle’s fuel economy will improve when the wheel alignment is corrected, which will allow you to save money on gas over time.
- Suspension and Steering Parts: The vehicle suspension and steering systems have components that experience wear and tear and, in some cases, damage while driving with misaligned wheels.
Wheel alignment cost at Walmart
Walmart offers front wheel alignment services for a price that ranges from $30 to $70, with four wheel alignment costing about $70 to $120.
These prices may be subject to change; the absence of a provided list signifies a lack of criteria, however, the prices named can be used as reasonable guides.
Walmart offers competitive pricing in comparison to other automotive shops and dealerships when it comes to the cost of wheel alignment services.
In addition, as with any repair service, you cannot do it yourself, as self-service is not an option. Also, the price varies based on the car’s model, make, and the year of manufacture. Also, a vehicle’s wheel alignment price depends on the number of wheels, the length of warranty available, as well as the vehicle’s age and the costs associated with the labor charge.
A vehicle owner must make sure their car’s wheels are aligned, regardless of pricing concerns. After the service is rendered, customers can notice changes in driving experience and improvements in fuel economy and car handling.
Even though some people argue that alignment services are pricey, the truth is that improperly aligned wheels incur greater costs due to the necessity of replacing worn tires and other components that would otherwise remain useful.
How do I get Walmart’s lower prices?
To reduce costs on Walmart’s wheel alignment services, one can monitor the company’s promotions and advertisements because Walmart is known to offer them frequently.
If you wish to take advantage of any promotional offers for alignment at Walmart, I suggest reading the offers very carefully. Most of these offers go to a great extent in outlining terms and conditions, which in some cases restrict you from using them along with other specific offers.
Another thing to look for is the offer period. For example, some of the discounts for alignment services are only given on certain days of the week or certain times of the year. So, make sure that you do not get your hopes up about an alignment discount only to be disappointed by the final amount in the invoice.
If you have any lingering questions about a specific offer, do not hesitate to approach a Walmart associate. They will willingly assist you and clarify any issues further.
Another thing to consider is the servicing type that best suits your needs. For example, it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that one-time wheel alignment servicing is the most economical.
This is particularly true if you intend to personally own the vehicle for an extended duration. In this case, you will likely have to think about purchasing some services like lifetime wheel alignments or extended three-year alignments.
With that stated, relocating may require you to rethink acquiring a lifetime or tri-yearly contracted wheel alignment at a particular center. This is due to the additional expenses for traveling to and from the mechanic’s shop from your new place of residence.
How does a wheel alignment cost at Walmart compared to other locations?
Regardless of the mechanical repair needed, getting at minimum three quotes from differing mechanics, shops, or companies is always advised.
For the purpose of this research Walmart’s subsidiaries are compared with other agencies in order to assess how much they charge for wheel alignments.
Below is a table outlining the various companies that deal with wheel alignment services relative to how much they charge at Walmart.
| Company | Service | Cost |
| Walmart | Front-wheel alignment | $70 |
| Four wheels alignment | $120 | |
| Sears Auto Centers | Standard wheel alignment | $75 |
| One-year alignment plan | $95 | |
| Lifetime wheel alignment | $190 | |
| Firestone Complete Auto Care | Wheel alignment check | Free |
| Standard wheel alignment | $70 | |
| Lifetime wheel alignment | $160 | |
| Goodyear Auto Services | Goodyear Wheel alignment check | Free |
| Front end alignment | $60 | |
| Pep Boys | Front-wheel alignment | $80 |
| 4-wheel alignment | $90 | |
| Midas | Front end alignment | $70 |
| 4-wheel alignment | $90 | |
| Big O Tires NTB | Front end tire alignment | $80 |
| Standard wheel alignment | $70 |
As already noticed, Walmart’s price is priced at a reasonable amount. However, Walmart’s price can use more information regarding some of the contract options, like one-time alignment or a three-year contract, etc.
Signs of bad wheel alignment
Now that we have covered the significance of having a wheel alignment done, which will prevent major issues from arising, you might be thinking to yourself, “how does one know when a vehicle is overdue for a wheel alignment?”.
It can be relatively straightforward to answer that question if. For some reason, you observed any of the following situations and signs.
The car shifts to one side
For those who might be using or are planning to use the vehicle, and if you are positioned on a straight road, then you are positively set up for a quick vehicle alignment test. First, check if traffic is absent, and you’re in a safe location to do the alignment test. 100% no traffic.
So as you’re moving through the straight road, take your hands off the steering wheel. And in case you noticed that you are drifting towards any side, this might be an indicator of poor alignment.
For maximum precision, be sure to capture the picture once more for verification while being cautious about traffic.
Vehicle alignment services must be completed immediately after you know the vehicle requires alignment.
Consider your vehicle on low-traffic roads. Your car moves to the right or left at low speeds. Imagine what could happen on the highway.
Unbalanced steering wheel
Next to the seat, has the steering wheel shifted too far to the left or right as you attempt to set it to the horizontal position? This scenario indicates that, facing the road head on, the crossover SUV will have a balance problem.
Take a look at the badge in the middle of the steering wheel. Check in the middle of the steering wheel if the logo is resting. If your car does not have precise balance, for some range of degrees, your car has to go through alignment.
Vibrating steering wheel
There is no two ways about it – a vibrating steering wheel is an issue that ought to be addressed right away. If the cause isn’t alignment issues, the situation may be far more serious, which is a guessing game.
Regardless, at any time the vehicle experiences shaking steering wheels, roadside assistance must be on the speed dial.
Uneven tire wear
You might also check the rubber depth of the tires on your vehicle. In case you notice some difference in one of the tire’s rubber depth as compared to the rest, it could be a sign that the car’s alignment is off.
Even though tire alignment affects the wearing of tires, other factors, such as balancing the tires or rotating the tires, can lead to uneven wearing of the tires as well.
How often does my car need a wheel alignment?
How often a vehicle requires a wheel alignment mainly depends on the driving habits of the owner and the condition of the roads that are frequently used.
It is paramount to understand that poorly maintained roads are a major contributor to alignment problems. If you constantly bump over a lot of potholes, drive through construction zones, or slam into curbs, expect your alignment to take a hit.
A good rule of thumb is to check for misalignment after every 6000 miles or at the first sign of it. Many manufacturers also recommend accompanying the routine maintenance check with an alignment check for the vehicle.
Conclusion
Proper wheel alignment increases the riding comfort and handling of the vehicle by ensuring the angles and positions of the wheels are maintained as recommended by the manufacturer.
Considering the prices, wheel alignment remains one of the most crucial concerns. Walmart offers wheel alignment services for front-wheel drive vehicles at a price range of $30 to $65 and for four-wheel drive at $50 to $95.
Some of the sign indicators an individual ought to watch out for include the car pulling to one side, increased fuel usage, steering wheel vibrations, and uneven tire wear.
Ignoring such problems will most likely lead to complicated issues surrounding the tires or even the wheel system altogether. Henceforth, it is recommended to align the wheels after every 10,000 miles to minimize the consumption of fuel and mitigate safety threats.