Ask Car Mechanic

Wheels and Tires

Wheels and Tires

How to Tell if Tires Are Directional?

Not sure if you have directional tires? Telling the difference between non-directional and directional tires is easier than you think! To tell if tires are directional, simply examine the outside sidewall. You should see an arrow indicating the direction that the treads face and either the word “Direction” or “Rotation.” If you know where to … Read more

Does Alignment Affect Ride Height?

Getting an alignment is a regular part of maintenance for your vehicle, and it’s common to notice a few changes in your vehicle’s ride and performance after an alignment. Most of the time those changes are for the better, but it’s common to wonder if ride height might be affected by your most recent alignment. … Read more

Does Alignment Fix Vibration?

It’s never a good sign when you start to feel your car vibrating under you while you’re driving. Most people start wondering what could be the source of the vibration, and it’s normal to think of worst-case scenarios first. But that ignores one of the most common and fixable problems, bad wheel alignment. Yes, in … Read more

How To Tell If Dealer Rotated Tires

If you’ve ever rotated the tires you might have gotten the question of “has my dealer actually rotated my tires?” In this article, we’ve gathered 3 methods to help you figure out that question as well as collect additional information on the topic. Probably the easiest way to tell if the dealer has rotated your … Read more

Should I Balance My Tires Before An Alignment?

Tire balancing and alignment are often confused. Both of them serve an important role in making sure your wheels/vehicle is in its best condition and performance. You don’t have to balance your tires before an alignment, it is completely up to you. They are 2 separate services aiming at different things. Tire balancing is done … Read more