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1117 Santa Monica Blvd. • Santa Monica, CA
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Alignments


Attention public: All Vehicles as of 2012 and some vehicles since around 2005 need additional work while performing a wheel alignment service — You now need a reset of your car computer's steering angle sensor. This is an additional step so your vehicle's onboard computer can do its job in assisting you with the built-in safety features in your vehicle. We did not have these systems on board before. Have you seen the Mercedes commercial where the man falls asleep and his car saves him from crashing into some object? How can your car help you if your car is also asleep or the steering sensor is off, giving the car faulty information? If you have a Lexus and your car parks itself so you don't hit a curb or the car in front or behind you, then the steering sensor adjustment needs to be told when right is right after the alignment is performed. Older equipment cannot do this for you. Some of our competition stores are not capable of doing this. So when you have a wheel alignment service performed, consider what I say repeatedly: All stores are not performing all services equally for your money. We here at Stokes Tire Service are invested in doing our repair work right for you. We are professionals, We care!


Why Do I Need an Alignment?

Wheel Alignments in Santa Monica, CA

An alignment provides many benefits:

  • Reduced Tire Wear: Improper alignment is a major cause of premature tire wear. Over the years, a properly aligned vehicle can add thousands of miles to tire life.
  • Better Gas Mileage: Gas mileage increases as rolling resistance decreases. Total alignment sets all four wheel parallel which, along with proper inflation, minimizes rolling resistance.
  • Safer Driving: A suspension system inspection is part of our alignment procedure. This allows us to spot worn parts before they cause costly problems

A true alignment is good for you in many ways, because it can save you money in gas. If your tires are rolling down the road pigeon towed or duck footed, it causes extra drag, not to mention unusual or premature tire wear. An alignment done correctly, and I emphasize 'correctly,' not only returns the steering back to the way it was intended by the manufacturer, but also corrects steering wheels not centered, influences handling, and optimizes tire wear. 

If you're a performance enthusiast and request it of us, we will adjust the alignment specifications to obtain better turn-in properties and more grip from the tires to allow higher cornering speeds.

Schedule Wheel Alignment Contact Us Online

Race Car Alignments

Alignments are a must for track users and spirited canyon drivers. Our store has been directly involved with road racing for many years and can offer loads of advice. Unlike other tire stores, we service many racing needs. We do corner weighting on request. Corner Weighting is working with coil over shocks or struts, setting ride height 1st and then scaling or weighing the car and readjusting the ride height per corner to achieve equal weight distribution front and rear, left and right. This makes a car steer equal left or right. It's our pleasure to be involved with sophisticated vehicles, and we enjoy a strong reputation in this area. Thank you for trusting us with your vehicles.

What Everyone Should Know About Wheel Alignments

On this vehicle, the front wheels are not aligned to the rear thrust line. This can happen from normal wear and stress, whether your vehicle has adjustable or non-adjustable rear suspension.

To steer straight ahead, you would have to steer the front wheels slightly to the right.

Of course, the angles are exaggerated so you can more easily see the condition. But it takes only a small misalignment to create problems.

How is an Alignment Performed?

For vehicles with non-adjustable rear suspensions:

  1. Angle readings are measured at all four wheels.
  2. The steering wheel is centered.
  3. Front wheels are referenced to rear thrust line and set to specifications.

Result: All four wheels are parallel and the steering wheel is centered.
For vehicles with adjustable rear suspensions:

  1. Angle readings are measured at all four wheels.
  2. Rear wheels are set to specification. (Rear thrust line corresponds to vehicle centerline.)
  3. Steering wheel is centered.
  4. Front wheels are referenced to the rear thrust line and set to specification.

Result: all four wheels are positioned straight ahead and parallel, and the steering wheel is centered.

Frequent Questions About Wheel Alignment

Q. How important is wheel alignment?
A. Think of it this way. Research indicates that the average car is driven about 12,000 miles per year. A car with toe alignment just 0.34 degrees (Just 0.17 inches) out of specification has dragged its tires sideways for more than 68 miles by the end of the year!

Q. What are the "symptoms" of a car that's out of alignment?
A. Have your car checked if you notice:
Excessive or uneven tire wear.
Steering wheel pulls to the left or right.
Feeling of looseness or wandering.
Steering wheel vibration or shimmy.
Steering wheel is not centered when car is moving straight ahead.

Q. How often should I have my car aligned?
A. Follow the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation noted in your owner's manual. But, as a general rule, have your vehicle's tires checked every 10,000 miles or at least once a year.

Michelin
Bfgoodrich
Uniroyal
General
Bridgestone
Continental
Pirelli

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Phone: (310) 393-0767
Fax: (310) 393-3985
Address: 1117 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90401

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