Is a Four-Wheel Alignment Necessary When Replacing Car Tires?
2 Answers
Replacing tires does not require a four-wheel alignment. A four-wheel alignment is only necessary when the car exhibits issues such as pulling to one side, the steering wheel not returning to center automatically, excessive heaviness or floating/shaking of the steering wheel, uneven wear on the inner or outer edges of the front or rear tires, disassembly or reassembly of axle and suspension components, or damage to the chassis and suspension caused by an accident. Below is a detailed explanation of four-wheel alignment: The purpose of four-wheel alignment: Based on the four-wheel parameters of the vehicle, adjustments are made to ensure good driving performance and a certain level of reliability. It helps the car maintain stable straight-line driving and easy steering, while reducing wear on the tires and steering components during driving. Data adjusted during four-wheel alignment: Caster, camber, toe (toe-out). Among these, caster ensures straight-line stability and steering return. Camber provides stability and steering return. Toe increases the tire contact area and offsets adverse effects. The purpose of toe is to counteract the negative effects caused by camber (or negative camber).
I've been driving for over a decade and have had plenty of tire replacement experiences. Getting a wheel alignment isn't necessarily required when changing tires, mainly because it adjusts the angles of the suspension system, not the tires themselves. If you're simply replacing old tires with new ones without touching any suspension components and don't notice any vehicle pulling, you can definitely save that money. However, last time I changed tires without an alignment check, the new tires wore out unevenly quickly due to improper suspension settings. I recommend having the technician quickly glance at the alignment data when installing new tires - spending a little can prevent premature wear, saving money and ensuring safety. After all, even tire wear means longer lifespan, more stable driving, and greater peace of mind at high speeds.
