How often should you get an alignment on an Audi?

Maintaining your Audi in pristine condition involves more than just regular oil changes and tire rotations. One crucial but often overlooked aspect of vehicle upkeep is wheel alignment. Proper alignment ensures your car drives smoothly, safely, and efficiently. 

But how often should you get an alignment on your Audi? In this blog, we’ll explore the importance of regular wheel alignments, how frequently you should schedule them, and the signs that indicate your Audi may need an alignment sooner than expected. Keep reading to ensure your Audi performs at its best and keeps you safe on the road. Here at Oceanside Motorsports, our team of professional German mechanics will take care of your steering and suspension maintenance needs.

Why is Wheel Alignment Important? 

1. Uneven Tire Wear

When wheels are misaligned, tires do not make uniform contact with the road surface, causing certain areas to wear more quickly than others. This uneven tire wear leads to premature tire replacement, increasing maintenance costs. Additionally, unevenly worn tires can compromise traction and handling, particularly in adverse conditions, posing a safety risk.

2. Poor Handling

Misaligned wheels can cause your vehicle to pull to one side, making it difficult to maintain a straight path. This pulling effect can lead to constant steering corrections, which is not only tiring but also reduces control over the vehicle. Poor handling is particularly hazardous in adverse weather conditions, such as rain or snow, where precise control is crucial for safety.

3. Decreased Fuel Efficiency

Misaligned wheels create additional rolling resistance because they do not roll as smoothly as aligned wheels. This increased resistance forces the engine to work harder to maintain speed, resulting in higher fuel consumption. Consequently, misalignment reduces fuel efficiency, leading to more frequent refueling and higher fuel expenses, as well as increased environmental impact due to higher emissions.

4. Increased Stress on Suspension

Misalignment affects the distribution of weight and stress on the suspension components, causing uneven wear and tear. This additional strain can lead to premature failure of suspension parts like shocks, struts, and bearings, resulting in costly repairs. Moreover, a stressed suspension system can degrade ride quality, making the vehicle less comfortable and potentially less safe to drive.

Recommended Frequency for Wheel Alignments

The general recommendation for wheel alignments is to check and adjust them every 6,000 to 10,000 miles. However, this can vary based on several factors. For Audi owners, it’s advisable to follow the specific recommendations in your owner’s manual. Audi typically suggests an alignment check every 10,000 miles or annually, whichever comes first.

1. Driving Conditions

If you frequently drive on rough or uneven roads, such as those with potholes, gravel, or debris, your wheels are more likely to get knocked out of alignment. The constant jarring and impact from these conditions can cause misalignment faster than smooth, well-maintained roads. In such scenarios, it’s advisable to check your alignment more often than the standard 6,000 to 10,000 miles to ensure optimal handling and tire wear.

2. Vehicle Modifications

Installing new tires, wheels, or suspension components can alter the alignment of your vehicle. These modifications can change the way your car interacts with the road, necessitating an alignment check to ensure the angles of the wheels are adjusted correctly. Proper alignment after modifications helps to maximize the lifespan of the new parts and maintain the vehicle’s handling and performance.

3. Accidents or Impacts

Hitting a curb, pothole, or being involved in an accident can immediately knock your wheels out of alignment. These sudden impacts can cause significant shifts in wheel positioning, leading to poor handling and uneven tire wear. If you experience any of these incidents, it’s crucial to have your alignment checked promptly to prevent further damage and maintain safe driving conditions.

4. Routine Maintenance

Wheel alignment should be part of your regular vehicle maintenance schedule. Whenever you rotate your tires or have other routine services performed, it’s a good opportunity to check the alignment. Regular alignment checks ensure that your vehicle continues to drive straight, your tires wear evenly, and your suspension system is not under undue stress, ultimately extending the life of your vehicle and its components.

Signs Your Audi Needs an Alignment

Even with regular maintenance, you might need an alignment between scheduled services. Here are some signs to watch for. 

1. Vehicle Pulls to One Side

If you notice your Audi consistently drifts to one side while driving on a straight road, it is a strong indication that your wheels are misaligned. This pulling effect requires constant steering corrections to keep the vehicle straight, which can be tiring and dangerous. Ignoring this sign can lead to uneven tire wear and reduced handling performance, especially in emergency situations.

2. Steering Wheel Off-Center

When driving straight, your steering wheel should be centered and level. If you find that the steering wheel is tilted to one side even though the car is moving straight, this is a clear sign of misalignment. This misalignment can affect your vehicle’s handling and can cause excessive wear on the steering and suspension components if not corrected promptly.

3. Vibration in Steering Wheel

Unusual vibrations in the steering wheel while driving often indicate that your wheels are not properly aligned. These vibrations can result from the wheels pulling in different directions, causing an unstable driving experience. Persistent vibrations not only affect driving comfort but can also lead to accelerated wear on tires and suspension components, necessitating more frequent repairs.

4. Uneven Tire Wear

Visible signs of uneven tire wear patterns, such as excessive wear on one side of the tire, indicate that your wheels are misaligned. This uneven wear reduces the lifespan of your tires and can compromise vehicle safety by reducing traction and increasing the risk of blowouts. Regularly inspecting your tires for uneven wear can help you catch alignment issues early and address them before they lead to more significant problems.

Audi Steering Repairs & Services in Oceanside, CA

For over 14 years, Oceanside Motorsports has provided Oceanside with the absolute BEST customer experience when your car needs work. We go above and beyond to make sure your experience is enjoyable and we ensure top tier repairs with an exceptional warranty. We service all makes and models with a specialty focus on European cars like BMW, Mini, VW, Audi, and Mercedes. Contact us today to schedule an appointment, we can’t wait to meet you!