Do I need a wheel alignment after replacing all tires?
2 Answers
Tire replacement does not necessitate a wheel alignment. Below are relevant details about wheel alignment: 1. Purpose: The function of wheel alignment is to maintain stable straight-line driving and easy steering of the vehicle, while reducing wear on tires and steering components during operation. 2. Scenarios requiring wheel alignment: The vehicle's driving performance is affected (the most direct experience for the driver is deviation in straight-line driving or failure of the steering wheel to return automatically after turning); damage to the chassis and suspension caused by an accident; abnormal tire wear (but it's also necessary to consider whether abnormal wear is due to incorrect tire pressure—generally, overinflation accelerates wear on the center of the tread, while underinflation accelerates wear on both sides of the tread; if one side shows uneven wear, it might indicate a deviation in the camber angle.); components of the axle or suspension have been removed.
After changing tires, it's not always necessary to do a wheel alignment. In my years of driving, I've found that unless the car was previously pulling to one side or the tires were wearing unevenly, there's no need to specifically get an alignment. It can extend the life of new tires, improve handling, and enhance fuel efficiency. For example, I once changed tires on my old car without an alignment, and within a few months, one side wore out faster, wasting the money spent on new tires. If the car drives smoothly and there are no strange noises after installing new tires, you might skip this step. However, be aware that if the car has recently hit a curb or frequently drives on rough roads, the alignment parameters might have changed. It's best to ask the technician during the tire change to check it for safety, to avoid long-term issues leading to potential hazards.
