Anyone else think alignments are overrated? One must have an align-able suspension, with no free-play or excessive wear, of course, for a valid alignment.
I think they are overrated if done just based on schedule. But of course if there is damage, uneven tire wear, pulling to the side, then they are needed - can be dangerous, waste gas and tires. Great point about the fact that many cars have non-adjustable degree of freedom. And about how if one has suspension components wear, the alignment may not be effective. A good tech would point that out to you and tell you to get it fixed before the alignment; and if that shop does repairs, then you need to wonder if it is true ... Doing your own alignment is not that difficult if one is careful. And while we're talking about overrated things like this, I'll say that's how I feel about rotating tires on schedule. Rotating tires makes it more difficult to analyze the wear to see if and where an alignment problem may exist. But for 99% of Prius drivers, and 90% of the people who read this list, probably not overrated. I'm really not expecting anyone to agree with this. Still true, though.
Firestone Complete Auto Care: Lifetime Alignment $120 back in 2018 during a Black Friday sale. I've only done two. The second time I went in for a nail repair I asked them to do an alignment and it was still good. Maybe I'll take it again since it's free.
I went to Big O Tires and went with the $99.95 alignment with a 6 months no questions ask free alignments. Could had paid a little more and get longer terms, but nah.
Went to Big O tire for new tires and they broke the ABS sensor wire connector on my friend’s Prius then covered it up, just Jerry rigged it. A few days later it came apart and he had to repair it at his cost. He called them to alert them and they told him to pound sand.
What was his cost? i tend to temper my “revenge”, depending on the amount, the recipient, the likelihood of positive outcome. Yelp reviews can be satisfying, and might save others from similar nonsense.
