Do You Need Wheel Balancing and Four-Wheel Alignment When Changing Car Tires?

[McEverly]

After changing car tires, you do not need to perform a four-wheel alignment; only wheel balancing is necessary. Four-wheel alignment is based on the four-wheel parameters of the vehicle, adjusted to ensure good driving performance and a certain level of reliability. Four-wheel alignment is required in the following situations: when the car normally drives straight, but after straightening the steering wheel, the car does not continue in a straight line, the four-wheel alignment may be problematic, especially if the driver constantly needs to adjust to keep the vehicle moving straight. If not addressed promptly, it can be dangerous. During routine tire inspections, if excessive tire wear is observed, particularly uneven wear ("tire cupping"), it is necessary to check if the four-wheel alignment is the issue. Severe wear can lead to tire blowouts. After replacing tires, wheel balancing is mandatory and is unrelated to four-wheel alignment. If the vehicle does not pull to one side while driving and the steering wheel remains straight, alignment is not necessary. However, wheel balancing must be performed; otherwise, vibrations may occur during driving.