Wheel alignment & tracking
Wheel alignment & tracking.
2-wheel tracking and full 4-wheel alignment at our Oxford and Bicester depots — stop uneven tyre wear and steering pull. Walk in, no appointment needed.
What wheel alignment actually is
Your wheels don't sit perfectly parallel — they're set at precise angles so the tyres run flat on the road and the car tracks straight. Those angles are the wheel alignment, or geometry. Over time, kerbs, potholes, speed bumps and worn suspension knock them out of specification.
Tracking is the toe angle on the front axle — the most common adjustment. Four-wheel alignment measures and corrects all four wheels, which is what you need after a knock or when the whole car feels wrong.
Why it matters
- · Misaligned wheels scrub sideways as you drive, wearing a set of tyres out far sooner than they should.
- · A car that pulls or wanders needs constant correction, which is tiring on a long run and less predictable in an emergency.
- · Correct geometry keeps braking straight and stable.
- · Alignment is one of the cheapest jobs we do, and it protects the most expensive thing you buy from us.
Signs your alignment needs checking
- · Tyres wearing unevenly, or the inner or outer edge scrubbing away
- · The steering wheel sits off-centre when you're driving straight
- · The car pulls to one side, especially under braking
- · Feathered or saw-toothed tread edges
- · Vague, wandery steering at motorway speeds
- · A steering wheel that feels different after hitting a kerb or pothole
When to have it checked
- · After a kerb strike, pothole or any knock to a wheel
- · When you have new tyres fitted
- · After suspension, steering or wheel bearing work
- · When you notice uneven tyre wear
- · If the car has been in an accident or had a heavy load carried
- · As part of routine maintenance, so the geometry is checked before it costs you a set of tyres
Alignment at Phillips Tyres
Two options, both depots.
Alignment is carried out by our own technicians at both our Oxford and Bicester depots. Tell us what the car is doing and we'll advise which check suits it — and we'll always show you the before-and-after readings.
2-wheel alignment
from £45Front axle — standard tracking
Final price confirmed at the depot. Available at Oxford and Bicester.
4-wheel alignment
from £120Full geometry — all four wheels
Final price confirmed at the depot. Available at Oxford and Bicester.
Phillips Tyres Oxford
Horspath Industrial Estate, 24 Peterley Rd, Oxford OX4 2TZ
Opening hours
- Mon–Fri (Tyres)8:30am–5:30pm
- Sat (Tyres)8:30am–4:30pm
- Sun (Tyres)9:00am–1:00pm
- Mon–Fri (Servicing, MOT & repairs)8:30am–5:30pm
- Sat (Servicing, MOT & repairs)8:30am–1:00pm
- Sun (Servicing, MOT & repairs)Closed
Phillips Tyres Bicester
2 Bessemer Cl, Bicester OX26 6QE
Opening hours
- Mon–Fri8:30am–5:30pm
- Sat8:30am–4:30pm
- SunClosed
Common questions
Wheel alignment, answered.
Do I need to book wheel alignment?
No appointment is needed — walk in at either depot. If you'd like to check a ramp will be free when you arrive, give us a ring on the depot number and we'll look after you.
What's the difference between tracking and wheel alignment?
Tracking adjusts the toe angle — how much the wheels point in or out — and is usually a front-axle adjustment. Full 4-wheel alignment checks and adjusts the geometry of all four wheels, which is what you need when the steering feels off or a car has had a knock.
How do I know if my alignment is out?
The usual signs are the car pulling to one side, an off-centre steering wheel, and uneven or feathered tyre wear. If you're seeing any of those, an alignment check is usually cheaper than the tyres you'd lose by leaving it.
Will alignment fix my worn tyres?
No — alignment protects your tyres from wearing unevenly in future, but it can't put tread back on. If a tyre has been scrubbed badly, we'll tell you whether it still has usable life in it.
How much does wheel alignment cost?
2-wheel tracking starts at £45 and full 4-wheel alignment starts at £120, with the final price confirmed at the depot. Both are available at our Oxford and Bicester branches.
Is wheel alignment worth doing on a leased or company car?
Yes — uneven wear is one of the most common reasons a lease company charges for tyres at hand-back. Keeping the geometry right means the tyres wear evenly for the whole of their life.
Get your alignment checked.
Walk in at Oxford or Bicester, or call ahead and we'll make sure a ramp is free. While you're here we'll check your tyre pressures and tread depths at no extra cost.