How Often Should a Vehicle Undergo Wheel Alignment

[ParkerMarie]

The following is an introduction to the recommended intervals for wheel alignment: 1. Wheel alignment should be performed every 10,000 kilometers or once a year. 2. If the vehicle is used frequently or often driven on mountainous roads, the interval should be shortened to every 6 to 8 months or 6,000 to 8,000 kilometers. The following situations indicate the need for wheel alignment: 1. The vehicle's driving performance is affected (the most noticeable symptom for the driver is pulling to one side or the steering wheel not returning to center automatically). 2. Damage to the chassis or suspension caused by an accident. 3. Abnormal tire wear. It is also necessary to consider whether abnormal wear is caused by incorrect tire pressure. Generally, overinflation accelerates wear in the center of the tread, while underinflation accelerates wear on both sides of the tread. If one side shows uneven wear, it may indicate a deviation in the camber angle. 4. The axle or suspension components have been removed.

[LeCatherine]

I drive quite frequently, usually getting a wheel alignment every 10,000 to 20,000 kilometers or about once a year. This is mainly because driving daily on the road inevitably leads to hitting potholes or curbs, gradually causing the wheel angles to go out of alignment. If you notice the steering wheel is slightly off-center or uneven tire wear, it's best to get it checked immediately. Without alignment, tires wear out much faster—a new set that could last 40,000 to 50,000 kilometers might be worn down in just 20,000 kilometers. Additionally, the car may vibrate noticeably at high speeds, which can be quite dangerous. Remember to always get an alignment after installing new tires—don’t try to save on this small expense, or you might end up replacing the new tires much sooner, which would be a big waste.

[VanSebastian]

As a long-distance driver, my experience is to have the wheel alignment checked during every maintenance service. Generally, it should be done every year or so. Don't wait until obvious misalignment occurs - by then the inner side of the tires will have already worn thin. Once I hit a big pothole, and the next day I felt the steering wheel become unusually heavy. I immediately went to the 4S shop for alignment and found the suspension parameters were off by more than 1 degree. I recommend drivers who frequently travel on mountain roads or rough terrain to check more often, as repeated suspension impacts can easily cause deformation. After each alignment, it feels like driving a brand new car - even the braking distance becomes shorter. Cost-wise, regular shops charge about 100 yuan, while 4S shops are slightly more expensive, but it's money well spent.

[MacKaleb]

I think wheel alignment depends on actual driving conditions. For the first three years of a new car, it's basically unnecessary unless there's abnormal tire wear or steering wheel pulling. After that, just check every 20,000 kilometers. The key is to observe whether the steering wheel returns to center automatically and if the car drifts when going straight. I had an old car whose tires developed sawtooth wear patterns because alignment was done too late. Now I always get alignment after replacing suspension components, otherwise the new ball joints and tie rods won't be at correct angles. When doing alignment, I recommend watching the technician operate - the machine will show whether parameters like toe angle and kingpin inclination are in the green zone. After completion, you'll immediately notice the steering feels much lighter, and there's no vibration at highway speeds.

[AshlynFitz]

Actually, wheel alignment doesn't need to be done at fixed intervals - it mainly depends on the vehicle's condition. You should get it checked when experiencing steering wheel vibration, steering wheel deviation, or uneven tire wear. For regular city driving, doing it every 3-4 years is sufficient. Note that alignment must be redone after replacing chassis components like springs or shock absorbers. Last time I changed my shocks without realignment and wore out two new tires in just three months. Summer heat can also easily deform tires, so it's recommended to check before and after long trips. The cost ranges from 80-300 RMB - avoid shops that are too cheap as improper equipment calibration makes the service worthless. Regular alignment can save about 5% fuel; after my last alignment, my measured fuel consumption dropped from 8.6L/100km to 8.1L/100km.