Is a Four-Wheel Alignment Necessary After Replacing Tires?
3 Answers
Replacing tires does not require a four-wheel alignment. A four-wheel alignment is only necessary when the vehicle experiences issues such as pulling to one side, severe tire wear, or uneven tire wear. However, after replacing tires or rims, repairing a tire, experiencing significant wheel impact, or losing balance weights due to bumps, a wheel balance (dynamic balance) is required. Four-wheel alignment is based on the four-wheel parameters of the vehicle, adjusted to ensure good driving performance and reliability. The dynamic balance of a car refers to the balance between the wheels while driving, commonly achieved by adding balance weights. Tires must have high load-bearing capacity, traction, and cushioning performance, as well as high wear resistance and flexibility, along with low rolling resistance and heat generation.
I just replaced all four tires last month and paid special attention to this issue. Generally speaking, simply changing tires doesn't require an immediate wheel alignment, as alignment mainly adjusts the angles of the suspension system. However, if you notice the steering wheel pulling to one side, unstable straight-line driving, or obvious uneven wear patterns on the old tires after replacement, you must get an alignment check. My friend ignored it last time, and his new tires developed sawtooth wear patterns after just 5,000 kilometers, wasting money for nothing. It's also necessary to have the mechanic check for any looseness or deformation in the chassis suspension when changing tires. Actually, it's like adjusting shoelaces when wearing new shoes - tire replacement is a good opportunity to inspect the chassis condition. Don't skimp on that hundred-dollar alignment fee - safety is worth more than anything.
After working in the workshop for a long time, I've noticed many car owners hesitate about whether to do wheel alignment after changing tires. In actual practice, if only the tires are replaced without touching the suspension components and the original alignment data is normal, it may not be necessary. However, several conditions must be met simultaneously: the old tires show even wear without signs of uneven tread wear, the steering wheel doesn't pull to one side, and the suspension hasn't suffered any impacts. If the tie rods or shock absorbers were adjusted during the tire change, or if tires with significantly different aspect ratios were installed, it's strongly recommended to perform an alignment check. Last time, a car owner switched to off-road tires without doing an alignment, resulting in severe wobbling of the car at high speeds. In fact, an alignment machine can measure the data in just ten minutes, and detecting issues early can save the cost of replacing tires.
