Certified CenterBMW Alignment and Tire Rotation Information
Alignment Service
Since 1934, the Knauz family and our employees have built a company dedicated to serving our customers
BMW alignment is a precise process that adjusts the camber, caster, and toe angles to align with the manufacturer's specifications. This intricate adjustment is crucial for ensuring even tire wear, maximizing traction, and enhancing overall handling performance. Signs that your vehicle may require an alignment can include uneven tire wear patterns-where some areas of the tire tread wear down more quickly than others-your vehicle pulling to one side during your drive, or a steering wheel that is misaligned and not centered when you drive straight.
To maintain your vehicle's performance and safety, it is recommended to have your alignment checked at least once a year or every 10,000 miles. This is especially important after you've replaced your tires or encountered rough road conditions, such as hitting potholes. Regular checks help ensure that your BMW handles smoothly and safely, providing you with a confident driving experience.
Why Is Wheel Alignment Service Important?
BMW models are meticulously engineered to offer an unparalleled driving experience characterized by a smooth and comfortable ride, precise handling, and exhilarating performance. Navigating through bustling city streets, cruising along highways, or embarking on occasional off-road adventures, drivers may encounter a multitude of challenges, such as potholes, uneven surfaces, and other road imperfections. These factors can compromise the finely tuned factory specifications of your vehicle's four-wheel alignment.
At Knauz BMW, your local BMW dealership, our knowledgeable service advisors strongly encourage you to have your four-wheel alignment assessed if you notice any anomalies in steering behavior, such as erratic movements or an increase in road noise. These signs can detract significantly from the enjoyment of your exceptional BMW driving experience.
Correct alignment hinges on three critical angles: camber, toe, and caster. While it's uncommon for the caster angle to fall out of alignment, the camber and toe angles are more susceptible to shifts due to gradual wear and tear over time. Each of these angles must remain precisely calibrated, often within mere fractions of a degree, to ensure optimal performance. Misalignment can manifest as your vehicle pulling to one side at highway speeds, vibrations in the steering wheel at specific velocities, or even an off-center steering wheel.
Ultimately, BMW vehicles are engineered for exquisite ride quality and dynamic handling. However, maintaining the integrity of these attributes hinges on regular checks and adjustments to alignments, allowing you to relish every moment behind the wheel, whether navigating urban landscapes or exploring unpaved terrains.
What Services are Provided during a Wheel Alignment Service?
The four-wheel alignment service offered at Knauz BMW encompasses the following components:
- Mounting the vehicle onto an advanced four-wheel alignment machine.
- Conducting a precise assessment of the position and angle of each wheel through three critical measurements: camber, toe, and caster.
- Implementing necessary adjustments to each wheel and suspension corner to optimize vehicle performance.
- Providing a complimentary multi-point inspection to identify any additional maintenance needs.
- Offering a complimentary tire tread analysis to enhance safety.
- Conducting a complimentary vehicle wash to ensure the car's appearance is maintained.
- Performing a comprehensive road test to verify the successful completion of all work.
This meticulous process underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional service and ensuring the optimal performance of your vehicle.
Tell-Tale Signs Of Improper Alignment
The proper alignment of your wheels are determined by three angles: camber, toe, and caster. Most BMW models will not suffer the caster angle falling out of alignment, but the camber and toe can change over time from wear and tear. Each of these three angles needs to be within a fraction of a degree to be considered correct, leading to your vehicle pulling to one direction at highway speeds, the steering wheel shaking at certain speeds, and even the steering wheel resting off-center.
Tire Rotation Information
For a BMW, rotate tires every 5,000 to 7,500 miles or as recommended in your owner's manual, as the frequency depends on the drivetrain (FWD, RWD, or AWD) and tire type (directional or non-directional). You must consult your owner's manual to determine the correct tire rotation pattern for your specific vehicle, as some models with staggered wheels cannot be rotated at all.
Rotation Frequency -General Guideline:
Most BMW vehicles require a tire rotation every 5,000 to 7,500 miles.
AWD Vehicles:
You may need to rotate tires more frequently, possibly every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, due to the drivetrain.
Staggered Wheels:
Some vehicles have different-sized front and rear tires, which means they cannot be rotated using standard patterns.
Tire Rotation Patterns
The correct pattern depends on your Mercedes-Benz's drivetrain:
Front-Wheel Drive (FWD):
Forward Cross: Front tires move to the rear on the same side; rear tires cross to the opposite front corners.
X-Pattern: Front tires cross to the rear on the opposite side, and rear tires cross to the front on the opposite side.
Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) & 4MATIC® AWD:
Rearward Cross: Rear tires move directly to the front on the same side, and front tires move to the rear on the opposite side.
Directional Tires:
Swap the front right tire with the rear right tire, and the front left tire with the rear left tire.
When to Rotate -Regular Maintenance:
Rotate tires during scheduled service intervals, which also may include tire rotation.
Uneven Wear:
You should also rotate your tires immediately if you notice uneven tire wear
-
Karl Knauz BMW
407 Skokie Highway
Lake Bluff, IL 60044
- Sales: (847) 604-5000
Loading Map...