Wheel alignment is an important maintenance task that’s worth doing periodically, roughly once a year or every 12,000 to 15,000 miles. Good alignment ensures a more stable drive and even tire wear, and it’s important for your vehicle’s overall health. Given how essential it is, every driver should have an idea of what they should be paying for such a service. After all, mechanics may overcharge for common car repairs like this, so being aware of what the fair price range is will help you stay within budget.

Wheel alignments are, generally speaking, on the more affordable end of the price spectrum as far as automotive repairs go. For a front-end two-wheel alignment, you’ll likely pay anywhere from $50 to $100 or so . A four-wheel alignment is a slightly bigger job, so it’ll cost more. These alignments typically start around $100 and can go as high as $175. Regardless, it’s a good idea to shop around so you can find the best deal without compromising quality service.

While these are useful estimates, there’s no one-size-fits-all price for a wheel alignment, be it for two or four wheels. Several factors can increase the final bill.

Aside from the number of wheels, the type of car you drive will also affect the cost of an alignment. On a typical daily driver like a sedan or SUV, an alignment will probably fall within the aforementioned price ranges. However, luxury vehicles can cost more due to exotic suspensions and the need for non-standard procedures. The condition of your vehicle can raise costs as well. A car with damaged suspension components, for example, may require replacement parts before the mechanic can align the wheels.

You should also be mindful of where you’re going for your alignment. Dealerships, for example, tend to charge more for services like alignments than independent mechanics. That’s why researching shops in your area before setting up an appointment is a wise move. If you go to one of the major tire retailers that offers lifetime alignments, you can also expect to pay a bit more than you would otherwise. That said, the higher price does come with the perk of free alignments for the lifetime of your vehicle.

Of course, finding the best deal on a tire alignment is just part of the story. You should also be aware of the telltale signs that your vehicle needs an alignment, so you can get it into a shop before it has a chance to develop into a bigger problem.

Fortunately, your car will let you know when its wheels are out of alignment. The most obvious sign is the state of your steering wheel as you drive. If the car is moving in a straight line and the wheel is tilted to either side, your alignment is off. Poor alignment could be the culprit behind a steering wheel that pulls to one side, feels loose or slow to respond, or vibrates at regular speeds. Note that there are a host of other reasons why your wheel may shake at high speeds, so you’ll want to be aware of those if that’s what you’re experiencing.

Moving away from the steering wheel, other parts of the car will also tell you if the alignment is off. The condition of your tires can reveal a lot, as poor alignment can cause increased and uneven treadwear. You should also listen for excess tire noise, specifically an unusually high-pitched squealing. Once again, this is a sign the tire isn’t hitting the road correctly, and that you’ll most likely need to get your wheels aligned.

Given the host of symptoms and side effects of misaligned wheels, there’s really no reason to ignore getting them aligned when necessary. Thankfully, it won’t be too expensive to do so.