Have any of you had wheel alignment done on your Fits? My son had new tires put on his Fit, and as he was leaving, the guy recommended a wheel alignment. I trust this place, and they've never mentioned alignment before. It doesn't pull to one side or the other. I remember when wheel alignments were around $20. Now, they're $120.

 

If you hit enough potholes and bumps you will eventually need an alignment. The Fit should be cheaper than other cars since the rear can't really be adjusted.

If you just got new tires, you had a great record of the state of the alignment of your son's Fit. Were the old tires wearing evenly, without scuffing or cupping? If the old tires looked normal and the car tracks straight and true, you most likely don't need an alignment. If you replaced the tires because of odd wear patterns, that's a good sign that an alignment is recommended.

 

That's just it. The old tires were worn evenly, and it didn't pull right or left. Potholes? Everywhere! I know where they are, and I ride around them. Fortunately, NY State recently paved several miles of the local main road.

 

Sounds like you're probably fine.
The tire place might recommend periodic (time/mileage) alignments as a way to drum up business or, if you want to be charitable, out of an abundance of safety for drivers.
Many folks don't rotate tires, or check tire pressure, or look at wear patterns, or bother to steer around road craters. Consequently, a high percentage of the vehicles that come into the tire shop probably do need an alignment.
I've been living in central Massachusetts for three years. I don't have an option to avoid potholes, I just get to choose which ones I'm going to hit.

 

I know what you mean.

 

It's always a good idea to get a 4 wheel alignment after getting new tires. There after getting a 4 wheel alignment every 2 to 3 years.

 

I haven't had a wheel alignment in decades, not since a fierce pothole ripped apart the front axle on my VW. I watch the wear on my tires and they're always flat across the face of the tire with lots of tread left and I have no driving issues so I see no reason to waste money on alignments. Since I run winter tires it's easy as I take tires off one by one during a changeover to look at each tire carefully for any potential problem.

 

My thoughts, exactly.

 

i,ve heard an alignment recomended , maybe every two years or so . with my '19 fit , that's probably about right . about two years or so ago it was done on my car during an inspection . the car
was tracking fine , but there was that little tire squeal at low speed making a sharp left . that went away after the alighment and the front did feel " tighter " on the highway . mine is
due , as the outer edge of the front passenger tire is get scuffed , and the little squeal is back . it's time for new tires anyway . at first i just figured i was being hustled for some extra business . but i found out it's ligit , as the front suspension settles it changes the
geometry , which calls for a realignment everynow and then

 

I just check mine every month or so for toe. I have the QuickTrick Toe kit. My wife got it for me as a gift a few years ago. Works great and saves me some money.

 

I never do an alignment and its fine with even tire wear. Drives straight. Only do an alignment if its obvious you need one. Car pulling to the side and or tire wear. Just save your money!

 

I can't remember the last time a car of mine needed alignment. Does that mean an alignment hasn't been done, or is my memory failing? No, I think my memory is fine. I don't remember ever forgetting anything. 😋

 

I did once when I got a new set of tires at 36k, waste of $, as the car didn't need alignment at all looking at the before/after printouts.

 

I've heard of tire dealers saying the alignment is so bad that they want you to have them do an alignment before you leave the shop.

 

Wheel alignment has become a big profit item for shops. With modern computerized equipment it's quick and easy to do with low skilled operators. Push the need for wheel alignments on everybody coming through a tire shop all day long and rake in the cash. That's what it's all about now. Yes, some people do really really need a wheel alignment but most probably don't. The motto at tire shops these days seems to be "Everybody needs a wheel alignment".

 

I got tires from America's Tire, and they don't handle alignment. So going forward, I will only do alignment if there is uneven wear on the tires or the car isn't going straight.