The world needs more mechanics like you.

A dealership tried to pull this with me a few months ago. I asked the service advisor why he felt I needed an alignment done and he said "it's standard after 20,000 miles." I decided on the spot that would be the first and last time I went to them for any kind of service. Glad to see your video confirms my suspicion -- thanks for these videos, they truly provide a great service for folks!

I did nothing but wheel alignment, brakes and suspension, for 25 years! Everything this man is saying is absolutely the truth!

Not only a mechanic, also a gentleman.

You are one of the few mechanics not trying to sell unnecessary alignments. True honesty (especially with vehicles) is at a premium these days. Much appreciated.

so close to 1 million subs dude, this channel deserves it!

Great info. I wish your shop was nearby. A competent trustworthy mechanic is hard to find.

AMD, I don't think my car needs an alignment but I am really enjoying these little chats . 😁

I find that sometimes a pull can be resolved by checking for uneven tire pressure...

That would explain all the trouble I had last Tuesday with my shopping cart at Walmart.

‘12 Prius V. Owned since new. I’ve had 3 sets of tires on it and have never had anything but even wear. At 125K, I’m super impressed with this.

I like your channel because you discuss these things in detail. Keep making videos like this.

Just an fyi. Former tech. I dont know if all hunter alighment machines do this. I would see some "techs" change it manually on the computer and on the print out on the top it would say "modified". Thats how they would do some alignments when they didn't want to work on the vehicle. so just be on the look out when the service writer lets you know what was done.

As mentioned in this video, check your tire wear. My 2021 Camry hybrid LE (steel wheels 205/65 R16) is 302 K miles as of today and I'm shopping around for my 4th set of tires (yes 100K miles a set) , and I still driving on the same factory alignment.

Thank you for confirming my thoughts on routine alignments. I routinely inspect my tires for wear pattern and maintain proper air pressure. My wife’s 2011 Camry has 90000 miles and never had an alignment. Tire wear is even and drives straight just like it did when new.

The first time I had to do an alignment at the dealership, the alignment itself was fine but the steering wheel wasn't centered (off by less than a cm from the outer diameter of the steering wheel, but still noticeable for me). I also rotated my tires to rule out a tire issue. Even after 2 more visits they didn't think it was a problem. So in the end I decided to try adjusting the toe equally on each side a tiny bit, and after hours of trial and error I was able to get the steering wheel straight. Never felt so accomplished working on a car in my life, even for something so minor! Come to think of it, there might have been a chance that i misinformed the dealership service advisor by saying it was a "pull". I definitely learned something new. Thanks for the videos as always!

This is a GOOD guy! I wish he could be my mechanic. I would not ask him ANY questions and allow him to maintain my vehicles and feel so comfortable. Good Bless You Car Care Nut 💙

Thank you for this informative video. Most car owners especially this new generation doesn't know about this. Like my daughter who brought her car to the dealership for an oil change and telling her the car needs an alignment every 30,000miles. Glad that I always give her tips and videos of yours and she knew how to avoid this kind of marketing by the dealership. Salute to your channel!

Good video, but I feel you missed giving a pretty good tip: You can get an idea about toe-in issues by running your fingers across both the front wheel treads left to right and right to left. They should feel identical in both directions. If you feel a little bit of a sharp edge on the tread in one direction but not the other, then that tire has been getting "dragged" slightly sideways due to poor toe-in.

After my Forrester was struck behind the passenger rear wheel while parked by someone driving over 30mph it mas moved over 6 feet. I had to fight the driver's insurance to have a rear end alignment. The insurance company told me it was impossible to cause alignment issues. The repair shop found damaged parts, my muffler was damaged and I was told without the alignment my new tires would have been damaged and needing replacement within 6000 miles.

Roads are terrible in my area. I need an alignment every time after hitting a pothole hard enough. Skipped it once and after 6 months noticed uneven wear on summer tires while switching to winter ones. Luckily, those are old enough and need replacement for the next season anyways.

Here in Malaysia, people around me advise to do alignments every 3 months, and it helps to make the tires wear out more evenly. Also, if we're working in the e-hailing sector, every driver is required by the government to enter an official car health test every year. And one of the things they test us on is the alignment, where the tires go on a huge treadmill and gets tested. And i've failed the whole course many times just because of this one alignment test.

In Australia, it may seem that your car is pulling left when driving on most country roads, but the roads have a left camber wich helps with drainage, but is also done to prevent cars pulling right into oncoming traffic if you fail asleep at the wheel.

If your car is pulling slightly to one side, FIRST check tire pressure.

We have a 2016 Tacoma we bought new, and a Lexus RX350 we bought new in 2017. I had been thinking that we may need to get alignment due to new tires and ago. But both drive beautifully and no evidence of abnormal wear. Thank you for this video!

Excellent explanation on tire basics, a lot of us get this very wrong because we've been handed the wrong information down from generations. I now understand the distinction 👍

I have been my own mechanic for the last 15 years (mostly Toyotas) and I wish I had AMD when I started. Most things he teaches here cost me lots of time and money over the years. Best wishes AMD you are the best!

Toyota dealerships service departments must really be hating you. You provide honest information and education. Thank you for your channel. Just today, my local dealer tried to pull this stunt on me. Said there was a slow leak in one tire that was not repairable and quoted me a price for a new set of four tires, and of course, a price with the recommended wheel alignment. Even with their buy three and get one free, the price was several hundred dollars more than the local Discount Tires store or Costco. (p.s. They would not rotate the tires on the right side of the car, electing to keep the slow leak tire on the rear. Guess they didn't think I would ever check my tire pressure or notice the TPMS light.)

Good evening, I also enjoy watching your videos and agree with alot of your experienced view points. Also being a professional technician and shop owner for 16 years can't agree more with Toyota being the best buy for your $$. Having worked for "mom and pops", "chain stores" and Ford at 2 dealers in my youth, past and getting Ford certified then becoming a Master ASE tech Plus L1 ect.. (I only own Toyotas now in my older age) Just wanted to add to your view in my opinion on the alignment chat. I have extensive back ground in Suspension, Tires, Steering and Brakes ect.. I believe it is very important to know where and how your customer drives and what the vehicle is used for. Highway (smooth)more, to city (pot holes, rough) more, owners who have rims / hub caps damaged from curb rubbing {toe}. Snow/Salt belt to Arizonia or even off road ect.. does effect wear and tear on vehicle. Not to mention towing, hauling heavy loads (Van/Trk) or even people who have cars with exessive weight in back seat or trunk always. "Not to be off base" but even if a driver is of the large size in a small vehicle and or a vehicle that see 3 or more passengers always compared to only driver. Weight distrubution does effect handling, steering & vehicle stance. Areas of possiblilty that can effect drift, pull to be added in my opinion would also be incorrect air pressure all around and difference between tires, not to mention owners not following door jam OEM specs and following only the tire sidewall for PSI. Incorrect type of load and speed rated tires put on vehicle, miss matched tread patterns, and AWD vehicles having 2 tires different in tread depth { more than 2/32} from other 2 tires and so on, 2 new, 2 old ect.. From a few weeks ago in your video on motor mounts. Transverse engine vehicles also can have a touque steer condition from worn loose or sagged mounts on the transmission and engine that missalign axle angles under take off or even cruising speed. And off the top of my thoughts - living in the snow/salt belt, Brake drag - Caliper pins not releasing, seized causing front & rear drag to drum brakes being missadjusted / uneven, one adjusted tighter than other, to actual parking brake cable corrosion that causes cable to slighly apply. Cables on older automatic transmission vehicles seem to never get attension or used and even on the rear caliper ratcheting type can just corrode and not allow piston adjustment, not to mention actual brake pad rust, hang up in slides {wheel drag}. Exellent video and continue the path, If you ever do come up to Road America again you are always welcome at our house as we live a few miles away from track. Anyway take care and God Bless.

Man I am so grateful for you making this kind of content available for everyone. Good video

A quick mention for cars with automatic lane centering: When driving, the car may require you maintain a light, but steady, pull on the steering wheel while driving on a STRAIGHT road. If you release the steering wheel the car may dart to one side. This reaction is NOT steering pull. Instead, it is the car's automatic lane centering system testing if you have your hands on the steering wheel. So, be sure to turn off any automatic lane centering before feeling for, or diagnosing, steering pull. In many cars this is the method the steering computer uses to tell if you have your hands on the steering wheel as required for safety regulations.

All four original tires (General Tires) on my new 2005 Camry LE started wearing on the outer portions of the treads. The door jam sticker stated a really low PSI for the ties...I think it was 26PSI. I thought that was too low so I ran the tires at 32 PSI, then 35, then 37. No matter what I did the outer edges of all four tires were wearing first...even after rotations. There was no tire pull and I had the alignment done. Many opinions later a foreman of a tire chain speculated that the side belts of the tires were not properly supporting the tire. After the tires were replaced with another brand...problem solved and gone! Go figure! BTW...my 2020 Camry LE came with Bridgestone Tires...no problems...smooth as silk.

Man, if I was near you, I’d hug you 🙂 You can’t imagine how much your Scotty Kilmer like old school wisdom is appreciated. It becomes more and more rare these days to see professionals who prefer to both look at the big picture and dissect the issue to pinpoint the exact problem. Most people these days prefer to use “compartmentalised” thinking and offer you standard, “safe” answers. Keep up the good work, AMD!!!

Love all your videos!!!!!!!!!!! Always looking for the next one. Thank You for all the valuable information

You are the most qualified and honest mechanic on youtube!! I do not trust my dealership.

Always such quality info. Helped me dispel some myths I’d had about alignments. Hearing it’s not a maintenance item makes me feel better. I love watching these videos to support AMD the way he supports us all by making them!

Love your channel, keep up the good work.

So glad you mentioned the road crown. Its amazing how many people go for a alignment because of that. Its also amazing how many alignment shops don't bother with centering the wheel.

I had a subframe deadset kit installed on my GTI. It replaced the factory subframe bolts with higher quality bolts with locking collars. This resulted in the caster correct to near identical in the front wheels. Routine alignment is well worth the cost.

Thank you for your hard work delivering these educational videos.

Great information as always AMD. Thanks for sharing with us.

Check your front tires for wear for camber wear. That will determine if u need an alignment or when u let go of the steeering if it goes to the side or not

A video I will watch again and again.

I got new tires, the tire shop owner says 'u want an alignment', I say 'no thanks the tires wore evenly', he said 'your new tires won't have a warranty if u don't get an alignment', I said 'GOOD' 😂

Best video on wheel alignment I’ve seen on KZfaq. I’ve seen a lot of them and this covers everything ❤

Been driving more many decades. I always learn something new when I watch your videos. In this case, several new things. Thanks

Pleasant surprise when you see a new video upload.

The most intelligent discussion on wheel alignment ever! Thank you, sir.

This is the best explanation I ever heard on this topic! Very well done and helpful - thank you!

Keep up the good work, much appreciated by all viewers.

God bless you sir , your channel is so valuable and the only videos I watch from beginning to end

Thank you for your advices , one of best channels at this time...✌️

It’s unfortunate that some auto repair places are still giving the industry a BAD name….. Thank you Car Care Nut !

Another valuable video. Thank you very much. I love to follow your channel.

Great information, thank you so much!

Please 🙏🏻 show us your newest LS project!!!! The suspense is killing me! 😊

Thanks for the information this will save me a lot of money. I just got a new set of tires today and declined the alignment and now I'm super glad I did. The other tires had worn beautifully.

This video is gold. Best explanation ever

This is an amazing amount of great information. I'd only add one thing I was taught by a long-time mechanic as he described negative caster. He basically said "that's the front wheel on a shopping cart". Be safe.

God bless you Brother, and thank you for all that you do for us car people! ❤

Money maker and preventative maintenance item for my dealership. Just did one on my RX350. Guessing it was not needed but service writer needed his quota. I will know better next time. A big thank you for educating me.

Great info!! This guy speaks the truth! What an awesome channel!! Love your content! Thanks.

I live in Michigan, we are the land of pot holes, usually can avoid them if on a secondary road, but sometimes on freeway driving they come so fast can’t react fast enough and hit it, thats the only reason I get a alignment yearly

Thank you. Excellent advice!

Really like listening to your automotive knowledge.

This man speaks the TRUTH.

Great easy to understand video..tyvm for your work in putting these videos together.

Good morning…looking forward to my maintenance appointment in March!

Always good information. Thank You!

Another really great video. I rate it second from the masters best👍

I worked briefly in a tire store. Their customers were farmers with their three ton trucks. The tires weren't high quality. The solution was that we shaved the tires to take care of out-of-round. We were told to balance them, then shave them. Then balance them again. When we were shaving the tires it was common to see one side of the face higher than the other even when the out-of-round condition wasn't bad. I don't know what the customers thought about all this, if they knew. These trucks rarely saw speeds above 55 mph.

this is the best alignment video i scene yet. Very informative.

Awesome video! Thank you for sharing your knowledge in such an understandable way.

Thank you for some backing up to what I have always said. You do an alignment if needed not as a maintenance item. People always looked at me funny when I said that. If nothing is wrong what are you fixing besides nothing. Love the channel. Thank you for tips as always.

Thank you for explaining tire alignment and going over the different scenarios. I'd always heard about the suggestion of getting one done when buying new tires but that makes perfect sense and saves some money by inspecting the old tires for abnormal wear to determine whether one is needed or not.

Very informative. I love this channel so much! First action I take when I sense there may be something abnormal with my steering ; check the air pressure in all tires first! If any tires are down on air, add air and then test drive again. Have yourself a wonderful day!

When I worked for a Toyota dealership in the early 90's wheel alignment was done every 30000 Km, it was included in the major service.

Great information! Thank you for the detailed explanation and honest assessment of alignment issues.

Very informative. Thank you.

Another correctly done video with spot on recommendations. I would say here in chicago land there are more bumps than in beautiful florida that may increase rate that toe would go out a bit but recommendations are still spot on.

I have a 2007 yaris sedan that tramlined like crazy on the factory Goodyear Eagle LS tires. Horrible on concrete highways, the car would follow every crack on the road. It had a mind of it it's own! I was constantly correcting the steering. Finally, took off the GYs at 930 miles, replaced by Kumho. Much better!

Thank you for making understanding aligment

Thankyou for being truthful, God bless. Over the years of owning a vehicle Ive learned that shops will scam and I'm much more careful about getting things worked on.

The first thing to check if your car is pulling is tire pressure. Buy a good gauge and check your tires regularly. If your car has a tire pressure monitor that actually reads pressure (not all do), then checking is very easy. A tire with low pressure will cause a pull in the direction of the low tire. This can happen before you get an actual tire pressure warning. I got a 2008 Honda CRV, and the steering wheel did not center correctly. Toe was off only two tenths of a degree. After an alignment, centering was perfect. It doesn't take much to throw alignment off. One average sized Illinois pothole can do it.

1 Million Subscribers.... Wow, that's some Achievement... You so very well deserve it... I Love watching your videos.. God Bless You and your family .... Cheers from Melbourne, Australia...👍👍😊😊

You are,my friend not the only one of the best mechanics ever you are an amazing,very humble man, very oriented to every and each aspects of a problems. I am amazed with your videos and truly enjoyed them.

Thank you. Great Information

Can’t thank you enough for this video! I learned a lot and this will help me make more informed decisions when bringing my car in for routine service.

Thank you for your videos!!!

BROTHER 💪🏼 YOU ARE THE MAN! 🫵🏼 Thank You 🙏🏼 For your channel 👀 I have learned so much from your channel about my Toyota Camry 2012 Wishing You Nothing But The Best! Because Only The Best Will Do For "U"🫵🏼 God Bless 🤞🏼

Car care nut guy is so honest. This is the kind of mechanic everyone needs to find. 🤔🤔🤔

Excellent common sense advice as always ❤️

One of the best on wheel alignment I have ever heard. Thanks AMD

Great video from a guy who use to mount, balance and align cars. I enjoyed the video with the comprehensive approach to validate the need of an alignment. One other case of pulling the car to one side of the road is the brake system on the front of the car. Disc brakes on certain vehicles have a possibility of dragging on one side of the vehicle more than the other side. Brake calipers of not maintained properly when changing pads will have a habit of not allowing proper movement of the pads clamping down and releasing from the rotors. The guide pins on the calipers, if not cleaned and greased properly will drag the car off center track. In fact with extreme cases the caliper won't release enough so the rotor the pads wear uneven or fail prematurely. The most extreme case I witnessed a caliper catch fire. Through my experience, before the alignment, I always check the wear of the tires and the brake pads and complete the test ride, if possible with the customer.

Great advice Ahmed, thank you.

Thank you so much for all the tips and advice.

My man just saved me 200.00 on a lifetime alignment deal, now I'm just getting checked and will keep my eyes open, great advice

im glad this was made into a video, becasue it goes to show. my dads old 98 civic only had an alignment 2 times over 15 year period. I would say its needed after a longer period of time like every 4-6 years because of pot holes, or wore out struts etc. its rarely needed. Now I off-road in my tacoma and I do my own alignments with my set up, and it does change a from a 0.5-1.0 degree difference from my last alignment., mostly in my camber which makes more sense with all the rocks and drops plus my lift, wheels and tires, heavier set ups will wear the vehicles alignment more than stock set ups. great video too

Your knowledge is second to none,the thing as simple as wheel alignment "that's what people think" should be mith broken, bless you I've learnt.

Appreciate your honesty!