Proper tire alignment keeps the vehicle tracking straight and extends tire life. It is performed at various mechanic and repair shops, and it is a considered regular vehicle maintenance.
The tell-tale signs that the vehicle is out of alignment are excessive wear on either side of the tire and tires that pull to one side. Have a mechanic verify an issue before correcting it.
Vehicle tires should be perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another. When they aren't, the vehicle is considered "out of alignment." Mechanics then correct the tires' positioning and complete the alignment.
Aligning tires that have been irregularly worn will correct their angle. However, their wear patterns will remain and may produce noise after the alignment due to their resting on the ground at a different angle. The noise will continue until a new wear pattern is created.
