Follow @fenderbutcher on Instagram. IS Works did the alignment on this car.

Many shops offer alignment services, but the accuracy of wheel alignments greatly vary based on the equipment used and the skill-level of the technician. In addition, many shops and dealerships are unable to perform wheel alignments on lowered cars.

At IS Works, we use the The Visualiner 3d1 X-CEL Alignment system offered by SnapOn because it is the most advanced alignment machine on the market. In fact, it is the same exact model used by Audi and most other high-end dealerships. Our techs are among the most experienced and skilled in the industry. This allows us to provide pinpoint accuracy to every vehicle we align, as well as the ability to perform wheel alignments on lowered cars.

Factors That Affect Wheel Alignment

  • Driving poorly maintained roads with potholes, cracks, and bumps.
  • Mismatched or unevenly worn tires. If one tire has a different tread pattern or level than the rest, it can throw off your alignment.
  • Hitting curbs or other objects.
  • Aftermarket or worn-out suspension.
Even the slightest misalignment can drastically shorten the lifespan of a vehicle's tires and cause suspension parts to fail prematurely. To ensure the longevity of your tires and the best handling-possible, IS Works recommends checking your vehicle's alignment every 6,000 miles or with every oil change.

Why Accurate Wheel Alignments are Critical

  • Alignments can drastically increase the longevity of your tires and suspension components.
  • Wheel alignments will make sure your vehicle is handling correctly.
  • Alignments will increase fuel economy, as accurately aligned wheels require less power to accelerate.

Unfortunately there's no check engine light to tell you when an alignment is off. You'll have to do some inspecting yourself, and if you suspect your vehicle needs an alignment you'll need to bring it to a professional shop like IS Works to verify.

Signs That Your Car Needs an Alignment Service

  • Your vehicle is "pulling" to the left or right side of the road while driving.
  • Your steering wheel is crooked when driving straight.
  • You feel a vibration in the steering wheel or in the seat. This could be another issue, but poor handling in general is good reason to have your car checked!
  • Uneven tire wear. Check that your tread levels are consistent among all tires.

When You Need an Alignment Service

If you're experiencing some of the symptoms of a poor alignment laid out above, definitely give us a call. However, there are other times your alignment should be checked and performed if necessary.

  • Check wheel alignment every 6,000 miles or with every oil change.
  • After certain suspension components are replaced or changed, such as tie rods or struts and springs.
  • New tires and/or wheels.
  • Rotating tires (depending on mileage.)
  • After impact with an object or curb.

Put plainly, regular wheel alignments are a crucial part of maintenance on any car and will improve the lifespan of tires and other suspension components, as well as improve the handling of your car.

If you need a wheel alignment service done right, call IS Works at 732-341-3400 or shoot us an email at info@islandsportworks.com to schedule!

More About Our Equipment...

The Visualiner 3d1 X-CEL Alignment system offers a variety of features to help us accurately adjust your cars camber, toe and alignment to make sure you are driving safely on the road.

  • High resolution cameras produce accurate live alignment readings and diagnostic data.
  • Advanced targets and clamps are lightweight, durable and impact resistant.
  • Cross-diagonal* measurements identify frame or structural damage.
  • Rolling Radius* identifies mismatched tire sizes - a potential cause of vehicle pulling and driver complaints.
  • EZ-TOE helps to adjust the toe quickly and accurately.
  • Lightweight clamps, will not knick or damage wheel