Tires & Alignments

Tires and Alignment Service at Gervais Auto Exchange in Lowell, MA

Tires and alignments aren't just afterthought services. They're a core part of keeping vehicles safe, predictable, and comfortable-especially when you factor in New England road conditions, aging pavement, and the wide range of wheel and tire setups found on today's vehicles. Whether you're driving a daily commuter, a performance sedan, or a vehicle equipped with aftermarket wheels and low-profile tires, proper mounting, balancing, and alignment make a noticeable difference every time you get behind the wheel.

At Gervais Auto Exchange in Lowell, our service department has experienced technicians and advanced equipment to ensure each tire and alignment service is done correctly, not just quickly.

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Why Tire and Alignment Services Matter

Tires are the only part of your vehicle that actually touches the road. When they're worn unevenly, improperly balanced, or misaligned, the effects compound quickly. Noticeable symptoms may include vibration at highway speeds, steering that feels off-center, or tread wear that shortens tire life prematurely.

Alignment plays a key role here. A wheel alignment adjusts the suspension angles-camber, caster, and toe-so your tires maintain optimal contact with the road. When those angles drift out of spec, tires tend to scrub across the pavement instead of rolling smoothly, leading to early wear, reduced stability, and extra strain on suspension components.

State-of-the-Art Tire Mounting with Hunter Equipment

Mounting tires today isn't the same as it was twenty years ago. Larger wheel diameters, shorter sidewalls, and delicate paint finishes demand more precision and care than older clamp-style machines can provide.

At Gervais Auto Exchange, we use the Hunter Engineering AUTO34R tire machine. This cutting-edge, center-clamp system secures wheels from the hub rather than the rim edge, which can significantly reduce the risk of cosmetic damage-an important consideration for aftermarket, painted, or machined wheels.

The AUTO34R features powered assist arms and roller-based bead technology, allowing our expert technicians to mount and demount even stiff, low-profile tires smoothly and consistently while protecting the wheel finish.

Elite Road Force Balancing

Balancing a tire is more than simply adding weights here and there until the wheel spins evenly. Traditional balancers only measure the wheel while it rotates freely in the air, which isn't indicative of how it will behave in contact with the road. That's why we use the Hunter Road Force Elite balancer, which applies pressure to the tire during the process in order to simulate real-world driving conditions more accurately. This allows the system to account for things like road force variation, radial runout, and other factors that can cause vibration at highway speeds.

Our equipment can also guide technicians through match-mounting, aligning the stiffest part of the tire with the optimal position on the wheel. The result is a smoother ride and fewer service returns.

Specialists in Aftermarket and Low-Profile Tire Service

Not every service department is equipped (or willing) to work with custom wheels and low-profile tires, as their stiffer sidewalls make the mounting process more difficult and leave little margin for error. However, at Gervais Auto Exchange, this is one of our areas of specialization. By pairing experienced technicians with state-of-the-art equipment designed specifically for modern wheel and tire setups, our service department can handle aftermarket fitments as readily and precisely as factory configurations.

When Do You Need New Tires?

Tire replacement isn't always apparent at a glance, but there are a few reliable indicators to watch for, including:

  • Tread depth: Most tires include built-in wear bars that become visible when tread depth reaches approximately 2/32 of an inch. At that point, replacement becomes a necessity.

  • Uneven wear: Excessive wear on the inside or outside edges often points to alignment issues. Cupping or scalloping (resembling scoops in the rubber) typically indicates suspension or balance problems.

  • Vibration or noise: Increased road noise and excessive vibrations are common indicators of imbalance.

  • Age: Even if tread looks acceptable, tires older than six years can harden, resulting in decreased grip, especially in wet or cold conditions.

When to Check Your Car's Alignment

Wheel alignment is part of a vehicle's recommended routine maintenance and should be checked whenever you install new tires. It's also important to have alignment checked after a significant pothole impact or if you notice the steering wheel no longer sits straight while driving. Other indicators include pulling to one side, rapid tire wear, or a vague steering feel.

Tire and Alignment Service You Can Trust

At Gervais Auto Exchange, we approach tire and alignment services with the same care and attention to detail as the vehicles on the lot. With our expert technicians, experience in aftermarket and low-profile setups, and advanced Hunter equipment, you can count on our service department to do the job right the first time.

If you're due for new tires, experiencing weird vibrations, or simply want peace of mind before your next road trip, please reach out to Gervais Auto Exchange at your convenience. It will be our pleasure to assist you.

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  1. Gervais Auto Exchange

    1375 Middlesex Street
    Lowell, MA 01851

    • Sales: 978-934-9395
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Get in Touch

  • Contact our Sales Department at: 978-934-9395
  • Monday9:00AM - 5:00PM
  • Tuesday9:00AM - 5:00PM
  • Wednesday9:00AM - 5:00PM
  • Thursday9:00AM - 5:00PM
  • Friday9:00AM - 5:00PM
  • SaturdayClosed
  • SundayClosed