Dave's Auto Repair

Wheel alignment is often overlooked by busy Novato car owners until serious tire damage has been done. One wheel can be knocked out of alignment from the rest by hitting a curb or pothole on Novato roads.

The tires will wear out very quickly and will need to be replaced prematurely. It could also lead to suspension damage. Conversely, worn suspension or steering components can lead to alignment problems for Novato motorists.

But the big issue for Novato motorists is safety. When your Toyota, Honda, GM, Ford, Chevy, Mazda, Subaru wheels are out of alignment, the vehicle will pull to one side, which could lead to an accident. When you’re out of alignment, you should have it taken care of right away at Dave’s Auto Repair.

Signs of alignment problems are: Your car pulls to one side. Also, your steering wheel may not be centered when you’re going straight. If you see the edges of one or more tires rapidly wearing down, you should have your technician at Dave’s Auto Repair look it over.

If you’ve been in an accident in Novato that involved a wheel, you should get your alignment checked. A big jolt can seriously knock things out of alignment, but Novato drivers also need to understand that a series of smaller ones can add up. Worn steering or suspension components can also lead to alignment problems for Novato drivers. That’s why your Toyota, Honda, GM, Ford, Chevy, Mazda, Subaru manufacturer recommends periodic alignment checks.

If your Toyota, Honda, GM, Ford, Chevy, Mazda, Subaru owner’s manual doesn’t specify, once a year might be appropriate. Or check with David Weinstock or your service advisor at Dave’s Auto Repair in Petaluma. He’ll also be able to tell you if your vehicle requires a four wheel alignment or if just the front wheels can be aligned.

One thing’s for sure: the cost of the alignment at Dave’s Auto Repair is cheaper than having to buy a couple of new tires because of neglect.

Give us a call:

At Dave’s Auto Repair we install quality NAPA replacement parts. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

The following Alignment video is presented by Dave’s Auto Repair:

The following Alignment animation is presented by Dave’s Auto Repair:

It’s no surprise that your vehicle will drive better in the Rohnert Park area if all the wheels are pointed in the same direction. That’s called wheel alignment. If your wheels are out of alignment you may notice that your minivan pulls to one side or the other.

Something that you won’t notice right away, but you will if you keep driving around Rohnert Park when you’re out of alignment, is that your tires are wearing unevenly and fairly quickly.. That’s because when the vehicle is pulling to one side, you have to steer it back straight. The outside of the tire just wears out fast because you’re constantly turning, which can be very exhausting on a long road trip from the Rohnert Park area – fighting to keep the vehicle going straight down the road.

Some of the things that commonly throw a wheel out of alignment are slamming into a pothole in Rohnert Park, smacking a curb in Novato or something like a rock in Penngrove. And it doesn’t have to be a big shock, it can just be the regular bumps and bangs of daily driving that add up and eventually take your vehicle out of alignment. That’s why your owner’s manual or Petaluma service advisor at Dave’s Auto Repair may suggest having your alignment checked periodically.

With an alignment service at Dave’s Auto Repair, we measure each wheel’s alignment and to see where they are relative to factory specifications. While we have the vehicle on the alignment rack, we inspect the tires for wear as well as the suspension and steering components for damage or wear – things that can contribute to alignment problems. With some minivans you can adjust all four wheels so we bring all wheels into alignment. On those vehicles where you can only adjust the front wheels, we bring the front into alignment relative to the rear.

Cost varies by whether or not it’s two or four wheel adjustable. Four-wheel drive vehicles may have an additional charge because they’re more difficult to align. At any rate, it’s cheaper than having to replace tires every few months.

If it’s been a while since you’ve had your wheels aligned, bring your vehicle to Dave’s Auto Repair in Petaluma CA for an alignment check.

Dave’s Auto Repair
1911 Bodega Avenue
Petaluma, CA 94952
707.763.8365

At Dave’s Auto Repair in Petaluma CA we install quality NAPA replacement parts. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.