Do I need a wheel alignment after changing tires?
2 Answers
Generally, it is not necessary. After installing new tires, the car requires tire balancing, but a wheel alignment is usually not needed. The hazards of wheel alignment issues are as follows: 1. Affects the car's ability to drive straight: When the car is supposed to move straight with the steering wheel centered but does not, there might be a wheel alignment problem, especially if the driver constantly needs to adjust to keep the car straight. Not addressing this promptly can be dangerous. 2. Increased risk during turns: If the four wheels are misaligned, the car may exhibit instability during turns due to differences in direction and contact with the ground, significantly affecting the vehicle's balance. Immediate wheel alignment is advised in such cases. 3. Excessive tire wear: During routine tire inspections, if excessive wear is noticed, particularly uneven wear patterns, it may indicate a wheel alignment issue. Severe wear can lead to tire blowouts.
I've changed tires several times, and generally, there's no need to specifically perform a wheel alignment. Unless you've touched the suspension components during the tire change, or the tire wear is severe, then it's necessary to take an extra look. Last time I got new tires, the mechanic said if the wheels are improperly removed or installed, it might alter their position and affect steering wheel stability. But under normal circumstances, just changing tires shouldn't cause alignment issues. Still, I recommend regular alignment checks because uneven tire wear can lead to increased fuel consumption and even accelerate the wear-out of new tires. Pay attention to steering wheel vibrations or the car not driving straight during normal driving—these can help determine if an alignment is needed, saving money and preventing damage to the car. Safety first; these small checks can prevent major troubles.
