A few years ago, I was having a conversation with an expert in the field, an old front end and alignment man. So Lee, he said, when is the best time to suggest an alignment to a client?

I said for me, it was after I inspected the tires for abnormal wear, and it indicated the need for an alignment. To which he replied, “why would you want the tires to get damaged first before you recommend the alignment? Would not be better if you suggested an alignment before damage took place to those tires and thus allowing them to go their full-service life?

I had to agree as it does make sense. Whether you do it before or after tire damage, the client is still paying for an alignment. Then why not do it before the tire is damaged?

Today, my business suggests the suspension be inspected for alignment once a year. For those who think that may be too frequent, Tesla recommends their vehicles be inspected for alignment every 6 months. 

Again, if you had asked me some time back, if an Asian* car (Honda, Acura, Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, Infinity, Subaru, Mazda, Kia and Hyundai to name a few) would need to have the engine valves adjusted when they are not noisy, I would have said NO!

Today I know better, a lot of Asian car engines, when the valves fall out of adjustment, they tighten rather than loosen up. That is why they do not become noisy when they need adjustment. Once they tighten up, the car develops stalling problems, erratic idle, no power, poor fuel economy and a check engine light with P0300 misfire codes. All of which are difficult to accurately diagnose. Ultimately, the engine will develop burned valves and then the repair becomes very expensive. 

Finally, I suppose the oil change does the same thing. You do it before the engine fails and cost you a lot more. 

The old saying about you cannot teach an old dog new tricks may not be entirely accurate. I have learned new tricks!

*Whereas I enumerated all the Asian brands, the ones with the valve issue are Honda and Acura.