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I have a 2015 Honda Jazz that I have owned since new.

Last year (May 2017) at its annual service at Honda Newmarket, it required two new front tyres due to uneven wear caused by (so I was told) my wheels being out of alignment.

At approximately 30,000kms, this was an unexpected and expensive (Jazz tyres are an unusual size that fit only them and Honda Insights in NZ so there is no price competition) service.

I decided to have my alignment checked again at Bridgestone in April...it needed adjustment. Now, just last week, it went in for it's annual service and the wheel alignment needed doing again!

I am a city driver trundling through suburbs and driving on motorways...I am not a rally driver speeding over huge bumps (nor I am hitting curbs constantly).

I am beginning to suspect something more major may be making it seem my alignment is out...a bent axle or CV joints, maybe?

I would appreciate your thoughts and insight on this. I am considering going to an independent company (any recommendations in Auckland?) to have my car checked as I am not sure I trust Honda Newmarket to agree there is a problem as my car is still under its 5 year warranty.

Hi there,
I would recommend an alignment and print-out from Bridgestone and also show them what you received from Honda to make sure that they are both referring to the same vehicle specifications when making the adjustments.
Tyre pressures and rotation are also a consideration with regards to getting the most out of your tyres, tyre pressures checked every few weeks and rotation (if required) annually.
I would not expect to see any damaged components otherwise the wheel alignment specialists sould have picked it up, as they would be asking the question why was the alignment out and what adjustments are required to put it back in spec.

Hi Cade,

Thank you for your prompt reply.

Good to know that you think my concerns may be exaggerated.

Mind you, I am pretty good at checking tyre pressures to get the best fuel efficiency out of my car so I don't think wear on my 30k tyres was due to that...I was definitely told it was due to alignment issues, which was a surprise as I service my car regularly (and, compared to work colleagues, expensively at Honda Newmarket).

Over the last year or so, on turning tightly at work on smooth concrete in an indoor carpark, I have felt big lumpiness as the turn progresses. Of all the cars I have owned over the last 30 years, this seems unusual.