Is a wheel alignment necessary after changing new tires and performing dynamic balancing?

[Vicki]

If you only change new tires, a wheel alignment is not necessary. The following are the conditions for wheel alignment: 1. The vehicle pulls to one side when driving. When the steering wheel is straightened, the vehicle tends to drift to one side without any steering input. 2. The steering wheel does not return to the center position automatically after turning, or the return force is noticeably weaker than before. 3. The chassis and suspension have been damaged in an accident, or some chassis components have been repaired, such as the suspension system, control arms, thrust bearings, etc. 4. Abnormal tire wear or uneven wear occurs.

[DiJessica]

I also struggled with this issue right after changing tires. Wheel balancing only ensures the stability during tire rotation, while wheel alignment adjusts the suspension geometry angles. If your car frequently drives on rough roads, hits potholes, or shows signs of pulling to one side, it's advisable to perform a wheel alignment simultaneously. Last time, I only did wheel balancing, but ended up with severe steering wheel vibrations at high speeds. Upon rechecking, it turned out the toe angle was off. Installing new tires is like putting new shoes on your car, making it an ideal time to verify the accuracy of chassis parameters. Wheel alignment machines can measure data such as camber angles and thrust angles, all of which affect tire wear and handling. Regular wheel alignments can extend tire life by 20,000 to 30,000 kilometers, preventing uneven wear and unnecessary waste.

[SkylarLee]

As a car owner, I've actually encountered this situation. Wheel balancing only addresses the weight distribution of the tires, while wheel alignment adjusts the entire chassis system. Especially when experiencing steering wheel misalignment or abnormal tire noise, it's essential to get an alignment after installing new tires. Once I neglected this, and after driving 5,000 kilometers, I noticed sawtooth wear patterns on the tire tread. The mechanic said this causes more damage than a punctured tire. Now I've developed the habit: checking wheel alignment parameters every season change or before long trips. The alignment process is quite quick—technicians use laser equipment to measure wheel camber angles, and adjusting the chassis rods can prevent uneven tire wear.

[SkylarFitz]

Don't be fooled by repair shops into only doing wheel balancing—wheel alignment is crucial when fitting new tires. An experienced mechanic I know once said: wheel balancing solves tire vibration issues, while wheel alignment ensures straight driving trajectory. Vehicle chassis impacts can easily cause alignment data deviations, especially for off-road vehicles that often require correction. Alignment also prevents wear on steering components, solving issues like heavy steering on one side. After calibrating the kingpin inclination angle with an alignment machine, the car won't 'fishtail' over speed bumps anymore. The cost of regular alignments is far less than replacing unevenly worn tires.