Does Jiffy Lube Do Tire Alignment? A Quick Guide to What’s Offered

Does Jiffy Lube do tire alignment? Yes, Jiffy Lube offers tire alignment services at select locations. These services help ensure your vehicle’s wheels are properly aligned, promoting even tire wear, improved handling, and better fuel efficiency. Always check with your local Jiffy Lube to confirm availability.

All car owners take quick fluid changes as very important. More novice people would still ask the question “does Jiffy Lube do alignments? ” Elly would just want a fluid change or maybe even a tire rotation for the sake of her rusty 1983 Ford F150. She would however, at Jiffy Lube, could find herself spending a bit more than that. People say that Jiffy Lube is for great service, but have doubts about alignments. Every customer would have to deal with the more delicate question that Jiffy Lube seems to face. Would Jiffy Lube do any type of alignment service, however? The answer to that question is a bit more complicated than a yes or no answer.

The answer is more complicated. The short answer would be yes, Jiffy Lube does perform alignments, but no, this service will not ease your concerns about alignment pricing. It probably will bring you more confusion. The goal of this article is not to highlight the confusion, but rather to clear and simplify all the confusion regarding alignments in general, and most importantly, the alignments that Jiffy Lube does.

What is Tire Alignment?

Like any other work experience, an employee at Jiffy Lube will tell you, before any form of alignment is done, it is one of the requirements to understand what the customer is asking about an alignment.

Tire alignment is often termed as wheel alignment. This is a process whereby adjustments are made to a vehicle’s wheel angles as per the manufacturer’s instruction. Along with the tires, the wheels need to be aligned to prevent their premature damage. This is essential in allowing the vehicle to be driven in a straight line conveniently without causing unnecessary damage to the other parts of the vehicle’s suspension system.

The three angles which need alignment are.

1. Camber: Camber is the angle by which a wheel is tilted perpendicular to the vehicle. Negative camber is whereby the top of the tire nearest the vehicle is tilted in towards the car, while positive camber is when it tilts away from the car. Balanced camber is important in camber to avoid tire wear and improve vehicle handling.

2. Caster: Caster is the angle of the steering axis which vertically rotates, important for the car’s stability especially when turning. With an adequate caster angle, the vehicle is able to position itself towards the straight position with ease after a turn.

3. Toe: Toe is the angle of the wheels and tires looking from above. If the wheel is tilted inwards, it is termed as toe-in, and tilted outwards as toe-out. Correct toe helps prolong the life of tires and decreases rolling resistance.

Why is Tire Alignment Important?

When it comes to tire alignment, its importnace is obvious, here are some main points.

1. Longevity of Tires

Not aligned tires are sure to get replaced a lot faster than desired. No one wants to get into that place. Along with improved shelf life of tires, aligned wheels and tires will also be beneficial.

2. Better Aligned Wheels

When the tires are aligned, the life of the tires is extended. This is due to the lowered rolling restistance. No one wants to get into that place. Along with improved shelf life of tires, aligned wheels and tires will also be beneficial.

3. Ease of Control

When it comes to teh ease to control, aligned wheels and tires bring ease to steering and enhanced vehcle maneuverability. This is because poor alignment of tires is one of the main reasons which cause unwanted rotation of the steering wheel, this is generally more prominent when the vehilcle is moving faster. If the vehilce darts to one side more than the other, the user will have to put in more effort to keep it in a straight line and this can also increase the chances of an accident.

4. Prevents Additional Mechanical Problems

Alignment issues can wreak havoc on your suspension system causing problems like broken struts, shocks, or suspension hardware, all of which can be pricey to fix. Misalignment can also lead to accelerated wear on suspension components, and other systems of the vehicle like the steering and tires which could also get expensive to maintain.

Does Jiffy Lube do Tire Alignments?

In addition to oil changes, tire rotation, and other forms of vehicle maintenance, Jiffy Lube is a popular service garage. But the question is, does Jiffy Lube do tire alignment?

Alignment services at Jiffy Lube

Jiffy Lube does provide tire alignment at certain locations. Jiffy Lube Tire Services have and may include tire alignment, tire rotation, tire balancing, and tire repairs. It is one of the few locations that Jiffy Lube can as of now, does not offer. Therefore, it is best to check with your local Jiffy Lube. Many Jiffy Lube locations offer oil changes as well as brake and tire services which are considered to be plentiful for fundamental upkeep.

What is included in the Jiffy Lube Tire Alignment Service?

When going for a scheduled Jiffy Lube tire appointment for tire alignment, here is what to expect.

Step 1: Inspection and Evaluation

Your vehicle will undergo a check-list process to see whether or not each wheel is aligned to the alignment angle. At this point, a specialist should be able to tell you how much alignment adjustment is needed and what specific angles need to be altered.

Step 2: Adjustment

Given the technician’s diagnosis, the settings for the wheel angles will be altered to differe alignment positions as deemed appropriate by the Jiffy Lube technician. Most Jiffy Lube centers are well-equipped with the most recent alignment tools in the market, so the process is smooth, as long as no custom changes are needed. In seconds, the machine will be able to adjust the alignment as needed.

Step 3: Automobile Rapid Test

Most of the time, a specialist will take the vehicle for a short sanitary drive in order to check whether the changes in the alignment have been effective to the vehicle, and to make sure the vehicle is in good operational order. A technician’s this test will determine whether the wheels have been sufficiently aligned, as the vehicle should remain in the lane of travel instead of pulling to the side.

Step 4: Checking Conditions of Tires

It’s well known that alignment saves the vehicle’s tires and suspension and, while performing an alignment, it is probable that the specialists at Jiffy Lube will consider the conditions of the tires. This analysis can spare a client the costs of excessive repairs at a later date because it can reveal damage that is in its infancy and, in turn, solve problems that can emerge as large difficulties.

Tire assessments deal with clarifying issues like, punctures in tires, tires that are chronologically aged, and destruction by uncontrolled excessive alignment.

How Much does Jiffy Lube Charge for Tire Alignment?

In the US, the cost for alignment depends on the make and model of the vehicle, as well as the complexity of the alignment. Here’s the average expectation:

Cost Breakdown:

Two-Wheel Alignment: 50-100$

Four-Wheel Alignment: 100-168$

Jiffy Lube’s pricing depends on the service center location and the vehicle’s make and model. Other services like balancing, tire rotation, and tire installation will increase the prices.

Does Jiffy Lube Alignment Service Hold any Warranty?

Most of the time Jiffy Lube will provide a warranty for the alignment service, but the actual coverage will vary by area. If the alignment is still off, then the customer is free to go back for adjustments however, this is only within a certain time frame. It’s best to get the warranty information when setting an appointment. This way, you can identify what’s covered during the expiration period and any service attachments.

Signs Your Vehicle’s Tire Alignment Is off

Avoiding unfortunate events from happening due to un aligned tires like going off road or having an accident can help with both, your safety as well as your vehicle’s condition. Below are the signs and indication of wheel alignment that tires can adversely affect:

1. Vehicle Drifts to One Side

Every driver’s nightmare is to be driving and suddenly, the vehicle decides to shift to the left or the right. Steering could be a nuance and a situation of trivia or bust, and that is when you want to ignore the steering wheel and try your luck, and that is when you know that its time to panic or the time has come to see a vehicle physician. You are still on track, when you are “fishing” on the road, you know its gonna cost you. Every driver knows the cost is insane…

2. Unexplained Shakiness

For usually, you think of vibration as a car factor. “Whay is your car vibrating?” is asked and you think it’s a factor of luck or how bumpy the road is.

When you no longer send in the frequently asked question of the decade: “What’s your car doing?” and instead start pondering: “What’s going on with the steering wheel?” that means the car is “floating” as some say. It is out of proper alignment and you have control of it in no way. That is the crux of the issue, a tire which has no alignment, you can’t touch it.

3. Rapid or Irregular Tire Wear

One of the signature signs of alignment problems are unsymmetrical tire wear. Have you noticed that some of your tires seem to wear out balder than the rest? It is even a tiresome task to find out excess tire wear. The tread of the tire is also worn out appreciably. The out of alignment asymmetric wear out tires need to be checked to determine if their alignment is indeed mis aligned as that is the only fix.

4. Off Center the Steering Wheel

Keeping the left and right wheels of the vehicle the same distance apart so that they are straight and parallel is crucial. The steering wheel will be positioned horizontally whenever the vehicle is moving straight. This is unsteady. Other driving activities are easier. The car starts making slalom movements or goes in one particular direction when concentrating on steering.

How Often Should the Car Tire be Aligned?

In most cases, the recommendation is once a year or every 12000 miles. However, the first of the two is the one that usually comes first. Like all guidelines, there are rules which are exceptions.

Rough Roads: If you frequently drive on bumpy or rough roads, your alignment may need more frequent checks. Roads with potholes, curbs, or uneven surfaces can throw off your alignment more easily.

Accidents or Impacts: Any accidents or slams may cause the car tires alignment attempts to go askew or even put it out of place, which is another reason to get anything checked out right away.

New Tires: No matter what, when replacing tires, it is crucial to perform an alignment to relieve the tires of the most wear and tear as possible. This is even more critical when doing a full set on new tires.

Other Suggestions to Care for the Tires and Car

Along with the necessary and daily tasks of keeping your car tires aligned and adjusted, there are some more necessary daily responsibilities to keep your car in a good condition.

1. Keeping Your Tires at the Proper Pressure: Checking your tires with a pressure gauge should be a law. Tires that are not inflated to the correct pressure waste fuel and wear out faster, and cause the car to operate economically.
2. Tire Rotation: Most car manufacturers recommend rotating the tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles in order to extend the lifespan of the tires.
3. Check the Tires for Bumps or Cuts: Tires need to checked for all types of damage, such as cuts, punctures or bulges, routinely. Any noticeable damage to the tire means the tire needs to be replaced without any delays. Since the tire is the only part of the vehicle in contact with the road, tire maintenance is proper, is a MUST.
4. Avoid Sharp Corners: Driving behavior has a direct impact on alignment and tires. Avoiding sharp turns and hard braking will not only improve the overall driving experience but also reduce the unnecessary wear and tear on the alignment and tires.

Related Article
Does Jiffy Lube Check Tire Pressure?

Common Questions and Answers

Here are some FAQs about Jiffy Lube tire alignment policy –

1. Does Jiffy Lube offer wheel alignment services?

Yes, Jiffy Lube does offer wheel alignment services, but it is limited to certain locations. It is advisable to contact the Jiffy Lube center of interest for more information.

2. How much does Jiffy Lube charge for wheel alignment?

Jiffy Lube tire alignment prices depend on the type of alignment and vehicle. On a different note, the prices itself range anywhere from 50 to 168 dollars.

3. What is the estimated time to complete tire alignment?

Jiffy Lube employees complete tire alignment in an average of one hour. On a different note, vehicle specifics will more than likely change the one hour average.

4. How can I tell if a tire alignment is necessary?

Signs a vehicle may need an alignment include but are not limited to vibration within the steering wheel, the vehicle’s tendency to pull off to one side, uneven wear on the tires, and an off-center steering wheel.

5. Is it required to buy tires in order to get an alignment at Jiffy Lube?

Certainly, a tire alignment is able to be performed at any point in time, even if tires are not purchased. However, it is generally true that alignment has to be done on a routine basis, even if tires are not needed.

Conclusion

Jiffy Lube align tires as part of maintenance to ensure the vehicle operates safely and optimally.

Some Jiffy Lube locations providing alignments is a big plus for many drivers. Jiffy Lube is one of the best tire aligners. Jiffy Lube also extends the intervals of alignments to conserve tire wear and fuel savings and thus, improve the steering responsiveness. Even drivers still in training appreciate and seek alignments.

Tire and tire maintenance, especially alignments, done in a proactive manner translates to greater savings in the long run. The vehicle will operate in a more stable manner and provide better comfort and protection.