Do I Need a Wheel Alignment When Replacing All Four Tires?
2 Answers
Replacing all four tires does not require a wheel alignment, but it does require wheel balancing. Whenever tires are replaced or repaired, and they are removed from and then reattached to the rims, wheel balancing must be performed. If wheel balancing is not done, it can cause noticeable tire bouncing at certain speeds. The reasons for needing a wheel alignment are: The vehicle's driving performance is affected, such as the car pulling to one side, uneven tire wear, or severe tire wear on one side; Damage to the chassis and suspension due to an accident; Parts of the axle or suspension have been removed. The functions of a wheel alignment are: To keep the car driving straight and make steering easier; To ensure that the front wheels automatically return to the straight position after turning; To reduce wear on the tires and steering components while driving; To maintain the optimal driving angle between the tires and the car body, improving grip.
I recently replaced all four tires and was debating whether to get a wheel alignment. Actually, changing tires doesn’t necessarily require an alignment, but wheel balancing is a must! Wheel balancing is crucial to prevent shaking when the tires rotate—otherwise, the steering wheel might vibrate so much at high speeds that your hands go numb. After driving for a while with the new tires, I noticed the steering wheel pulling slightly to the left, which is when I finally got the alignment done. If your car wasn’t pulling to one side before the tire change and there was no uneven tire wear, there’s no need to spend extra money. Of course, if you’ve recently hit a curb or had suspension work done, it’s safer to check the alignment data while you’re at it—after all, new tires aren’t cheap, and you don’t want them ruined by abnormal wear.
