Firestone lifetime alignment

I have never heard of an issue, but there is always something crazy coming out. Did they give you any details?

 

Found a hole in the wall shop with high reviews. The manager was great even brought me into the bay to double check and explain some numbers. A tad cheaper then Firestone. Better job than a Les Schwab. Will go back again.

 

I have the lifetime warranty and every time they say that they can't find it in their system and I'll have to purchase it again. Then I give them a stack of previous invoices, they apologize and then give me the alignment and tell me they will fix the system. The quality of the alignment varies by location.


My biggest mistake though with them, was lazy and told them OK to an oil change special. Some how or another after 12 different fees was $108 for an oil change. Got it knocked down to $80. Won't go back to that specific location.

 

Haha... they got tired of giving custom alignments before track day. I don’t blame them, but like I said, it really does matter on the location.

 

Some place do charge fee for take off heavy skid plate.

 

they supposed to check the lane departure systems, and my invoice mention to check the system.

 

That's the first I've heard of this. I have a 2020 with Lane Departure and have had my truck in for wheel alignment at FS without any issues.

 

It is the same at my Toyota dealer, I remove all my skid plates before I take my truck in to avoid the surcharge.

 

OK, no ancient stories. I bought a one time after my first lift only 2 years ago. Not a problem.
Went back in after getting new larger tires and wheels last year, got offered to pay only the difference for the lifetime (you get a one year warranty). Bought the Lifetime for the difference in price. No problems past year.
Small town, small time. Worked fine. Do it once, if you come back in a year you can upgrade. They were well aware of the non-stock parts. Don't like the work? don't go back the second time.

 

Like a lot of people are saying, it’s worth it if you plan on keeping your truck for a while. At least enough to have 2-3 alignments done.

But, if you hit a pothole hard or something you can always take it to them. Sometimes that will slightly knock you out of alignment.

 

Or you doing some off-road, it’s good take back for a alignment time to time. At least let them check it.

 

The store I called told me they charge extra (high $200 if I remember correctly) if your vehicle is equipment with lane departure/steering assist. I only have the lane departure alert which I rarely turn on.

 

I understand Firestone can do alignments but has anyone notice they accomplish the zero point calibration afterwards?

 

Corporate Firestone Stores are "Complete Auto Care" and that term is a trademark. If the sign out front, and the building does not have this designation, it's not a Company Store, it's just a tire shop. Many folks are taken aback by this. "Bob and Jimmy's East Side Tire" is not a Company Store because they have a 30' Firestone sign on the building.
The lifetime alignment is a great deal. It pays of itself in 2 visits normally. It's labor intensive if adjustments are made. This is especially true in the north where rust will make hell on suspension and steering parts. Most vehicles should be aligned at least twice a year, especially in severe driving conditions. Most areas around major cities are "severe driving". It won't hurt to align the car or truck. Firestone try's to send it's employees to the Firestone Alignment School. It's a very very good school. I've been twice. If the Tech goes, chances are he will get more money for doing so later on. I have worked at three locations over several years (retired now) and those stores will normally go out of their way to make it right. We've loaded sandbags on the passenger side of a Mercedes to balance the car for accuracy, and other things to make sure the alignment is right. There is a 1-800 number on the back of every receipt and if you call it, they will make it right. Period. Firestone is a great company, and has been for decades.
Zim

 

I bought new tires elsewhere, then went our local Firestone and got the Lifetime Alignment Deal. They did squat on the alignment, no paperwork of the alignment readings but just the assurance it's okay. They did the usual check up of the usual easy money grab of fluid check, etc., luckily we checked all that before heading in.

 

Hey Shipmate, I didn't realize that you pimped tread for Firestone. I have always been curious on how Firestone techs are paid. Our techs were paid on the initial sale and warranty work paid nothing. Consequently warranty work was almost always in spec or was a parts call. You do raise a valid point about Firestone corporate vs a Firestone dealer. We had a competitor just like that and they would warranty work when it was convenient for them and send others away. Customers were completely confused and come to us out of frustration.

 

Hey man good to see and talk to you again. Hope you're enjoying that beautiful St. Augustine gig. I love that place. I keep getting email from Southern Oaks Hotel...lmao. That place was actually pretty good. Firestone paid well, especially the lead Tech and Alignment guy. Flat rate and some bonus's for spiff's. If you got the alignments school they'd bump you up a little. And no I don't think they got paid on the warranty or comebacks. They'd be pissed off if I remember but honestly we had very few. I helped out on the Alignments because he was a midlevel and very very busy. We would see a bunch of toe and go's mostly and they as you know they go fast. I'd set the heads, he'd give it a quick look and then move on to Mom's minivan with a P0174 lol. Full blown problems I'd let him handle them so he could get paid. Hope you and your family are doing well. Be safe out there brother.
Zim