Alignment should be checked every 6 months or 10,000 km in Banff, versus standard 15,000-20,000 km intervals. Mountain roads create constant alignment-stressing impacts from potholes, frost heave, and rough surfaces. Spring (after winter freeze-thaw damage) and fall (before winter driving) warrant mandatory alignment checks. Visual signs of misalignment warrant immediate service.

Avalanche control blasting damages road surfaces creating potholes and ruts that knock wheels out of alignment. Spring freeze-thaw cycles cause frost heave (road bulging) that impacts suspension geometry. Mountain grades create sustained lateral loading that drifts caster angles. Gravel washboard surfaces cause rapid alignment degradation not seen on paved flat roads.

Misalignment increases tire wear by 20-40%, costing hundreds in premature tire replacement. In mountain driving where traction is safety-critical, worn tires from poor alignment reduce grip significantly. Proper alignment also improves fuel economy by 5-10% by reducing rolling resistance, which matters at Banff's high elevation where efficiency is compromised.

Modern alignment machines compensate for temperature, but extreme cold (-30°C) can create measurement inconsistencies. Align tires at the shop after warming the vehicle to normal operating temperature. Cold-induced metal contraction in suspension components is minimal but can exist; allow 30-minute warm-up before alignment for most accurate results.

Four-wheel-drive vehicles in Banff benefit from alignment specifications tuned for mountain conditions: slightly increased toe-in for stability on descents, optimized caster for high-speed control, and camber angles that distribute braking stress evenly across all four tires. Consult with an alignment specialist familiar with mountain vehicle setups rather than standard alignment parameters.