Front End Alignment at 15K???

Yesterday at my 15K ToyotaCare service call, the service rep tried to 'up-sell' a front-end alignment, saying it was "recommended by Toyota". She told me this as I was checking the truck in for its service.

There are no issues that I typically associate with a front end alignment, like uneven tire wear, pulling to one side or the other, etc., and I don't offroad in any serious way. I told her "no thanks"; this sort of preventative maintenance doesn't work for me.

My take on front end alignments is the old "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach. My question to TW is -- Is there ever a time to get a front end alignment when there are no 'symptoms' indicating one is needed? What do you think?

 

I agree. Unless there's a problem. I believe under 12k or it could be 10k they would align it no charge.

Definitely an upsell.

 

and a pretty low quality upsell at that

 

i get free alignments for the life of my tires... so i get an alignment every time i get tires rotated (5k miles)

 

Strange. I thought these were free, they never charge me, They check it every time I go in for those free oil changes and the first time the toe was out and they adjusted.

 

You don't need an alignment unless there is an indication that something is out. The indications would be tire wear, pulling left or right or that the steering wheel is off centre. The only other time that an alignment is required is when you have done something like change front end parts, install a lift, etc. Selling an alignment as preventative maintenance is just robbing you if your cash without the gun.

 

Maybe because your truck is a 4WD she just assumed you did off roading and therefore might need to check your alignment at the 15k mark? They are definitely there to squeeze money out of us, but this might have just been a friendly suggestion? Not sure

 

+1
I was under this assumption as well

 

I check my alighment every 10k miles. That has given me 60k on my stock Toyo's and hoping the get the same amount on my Michelin's. My alignment checks are done for free because my brother takes it in to his job (Toyota service) when I do my oil changes.

 

Mine was out of alignment from the factory. There is one free alignment with Toyota Care. They probably just want to get the money from Toyota for performing the service. If they are trying to upsell and charge you for it...that's pretty shady.

 

I agree, ish. You MAY need an alignment even when there are no perceiveable indicators. A little too much toe for an example, might not be noticeable especially if it came from the factory this way. If you wait until tires have indicated the alignment is off, you cost yourself some tread wear. I have the benefit of a hunter machine on hand, so I check whenever I feel the itch, but I would suggest anyone near a place that offers lifetime alignments to take advantage of that and routinely check, especially if you off road.

 

exactly i have a place up the street i trust and they threw in life time alignments on the tires for $100. they dont care if you come in a million times since they warranty tires

 

Firestone does lifetime alignments for the time you own the truck. About $150

Life of the tires is expensive over time.

Are you sure you don’t mean lifetime balance, rotation, and road hazzard??

Alignments take like a hour. Would hate to wait 2 hours every 5k for a balance and alignment for no reason.

 

i have falken wildpeak at3w's. nope i get it done every 5k because why not. i want these tires to last as long as possible.

 

My ToyotaCare plan does not offer a free front end alignment. Recall that I might have had just one front end alignment on my Gen 2 2007, which I owned for 8 years and 115K miles.

 

Unless there is a problem, no need to realign. I balance & rotate on a regular schedule, & will get an alignment with a new set of tires.

 

I am still on my original factory Goodyear tires, and at just over 14K miles, I noticed last week the drivers front tire is starting to scallop, just enough to be noticeable. I've done all my own maintenance so far, and truck has not be to any mechanic/dealer since I bought it last April. If the tire wear continues to worsen, I will take it in for an alignment.

 

My dealership just tried this on me as well. Came in for 3rd brake light recall, and they tried upselling me saying alignment is due every 15k miles or 12 months (whichever comes first). These same jokers tried upselling my wife with their $150 fuel cleaning service and even more expensive brake fluid change for her Prius 30k service. This dealer was adding $5k ADM onto every car BEFORE covid and the supply shortages. We didn't pay it when we purchased our vehicles, but they wouldn't be trying it if everyone was like us and refused.

 

Fuck man, you reached into the archives for this thread.

 

The dealer did an alignment during toyota care when i asked them to check it on my truck...passenger tire tow was incorrect. Best to ask them to check it within a year, or 10k whatever comes first, otherwise its on your nickel.