How Much Does an Alignment Cost at Walmart? Price Explained
Aligning your car is important for a smoother driving experience and equal tire wear. Many customers select Walmart Auto Care Centers because of their handy locations and dependable service.
This article will tell you how much an alignment costs at Walmart and also provide factors that affect the pricing.
What Is Wheel Alignment?
Wheel alignment is a maintenance service that changes the angles of your car’s wheels so that they are properly aligned with one another and the road. It ensures that the wheels are perpendicular to the ground and parallel with one another.
Proper alignment is needed to keep your car stable and increase fuel efficiency. Some signs that your car needs a wheel alignment are:
- The vehicle starts going sideways when you are trying to drive straight.
- Tires wear unevenly or quickly.
- The steering wheel vibrates or sits off-center.
Regular wheel alignments improve your vehicle’s handling, increase tire life, and make driving safer and more comfortable.
How Much Does an Alignment Cost at Walmart?
Walmart Auto Care Centers have provided a lot of car maintenance services such as tire installation, balancing, rotation, and oil changes. However, they no longer provide wheel alignment services.
When Walmart did offer wheel alignments, the pricing for a normal front-end (two-wheel) alignment ranged between $50 and $75. This pricing was competitive with other service providers at the time.
Wheel alignment services are now only available at professional auto servicing locations. The national average for a complete wheel alignment service ranges from $50 and $168. It depends on the service provider and kind of alignment.
Importance of Wheel Alignment
Proper wheel alignment is important for vehicle safety and maximum handling. Regular alignments ensure that there is even wear on tires which saves fuel. Whenever you feel that the vehicle pulls towards one side or that tires have uneven wear patterns, get your alignment checked.
Factors That Affect Wheel Alignment Costs
Now that you know the average price of wheel alignment service, let us the factors upon the price depends:
Number of Wheels Aligned
A front-end alignment that adjusts only the two front wheels is less expensive than a four-wheel alignment. Four-wheel alignments are needed for all-wheel-drive and certain rear-wheel-drive vehicles which increases the cost. The more wheels that require alignment, the longer the service takes which also raises labor costs.
Type of Vehicle
The size and design of your vehicle can greatly affect the cost of alignment. For example, SUVs and luxury cars can require special tools or expertise which makes the service more expensive. In addition, a vehicle with a custom suspension or unique design can need more adjustments and increase labor and time.
Condition of the Vehicle
If your car has worn-out suspension parts or damaged components, extra repairs can be needed before the alignment can be carried out. These repairs such as replacing tie rods or control arms add to the total cost. Vehicles with a lot of wear and tear need more complicated adjustments which will increase the price of the alignment service.
Location of the Service Center
The cost of an alignment can vary depending on where you get it done. In urban centers or areas with a high cost of living, the services are more expensive compared to rural areas. Chain service centers offer competitive pricing while specialized or high-end repair shops can charge a premium.
Advanced Technology and Equipment Used
Modern alignment machines using laser or digital technology have better accuracy but are more expensive. Such service centers can raise their prices to recover investment in the equipment. However, this technology gives better outcomes and saves money in the long run.
Services Needed
Sometimes, wheel alignment is bundled with other services such as tire rotation and balancing or suspension checks. That can be convenient but that also increases the total price. However, sometimes bundle packages can also offer some discounts so it will be more economical for a vehicle depending on its condition.
4 Other Auto Services Provided by Walmart
Walmart Auto Care Centers provides a lot of maintenance services that are convenient and cheap. Here are the main services offered by the company:
Tire Services
Walmart offers tire installation for new tires so that they are mounted correctly and balanced to drive smoothly. They also provide tire rotation services which help in the even distribution of wear across all four tires and extend their life. Walmart Auto Care Centers can also repair flat tires and save you the cost of purchasing a new tire.
Oil Change Services
Walmart provides different oil change options to suit different vehicle needs including a standard oil change with conventional oil. For cars with higher mileage, there is a high-mileage oil change that uses specialty oil to help restore performance in the engine. They also have synthetic oil changes which deliver long-lasting protection to engines.
Battery Services
You can have your car’s battery tested free of charge to make sure it is still in good working condition and prevent unexpected breakdowns. In case you need a new battery, Walmart provides professional battery installation at an affordable price.
Light Maintenance Services
Walmart Auto Care Centers can quickly replace your windshield wipers to increase visibility while raining or snowing. Headlight restoration services will also improve your night-time driving conditions as they remove cloudy and yellowed headlights. Car bulbs such as headlights and turn signal bulbs can also be replaced.
Conclusion
Many people wonder how much an alignment costs at Walmart. What they don’t know is that Walmart no longer performs wheel alignments. Walmart used to provide alignments at a low price before. For new alignments, customers should consider specific auto service providers costing between $75 and $100.
It doesn’t matter where you are headed, proper wheel alignment will ensure your vehicle runs with good performance and tire longevity. This is why it is important always to do regular check-ups and address the alignment issue.
FAQs
Do I Need 2 or 4 Wheel Alignment?
A four-wheel alignment is only required when the rear tires are out of alignment which can only be resolved by checking them.
How Long Does a 4-Wheel Alignment Take?
A wheel alignment takes one hour regardless of whether the vehicle is two- or four-wheel-drive.
Is It Fine If I Drive With Bad Alignment?
No, driving with an improper alignment can damage your vehicle’s suspension system and the wear on your tires.