Is a wheel alignment necessary after changing tires?
2 Answers
After changing tires, a wheel alignment is necessary. If wheel balancing is not performed, it can cause the tire's weight distribution to be off-center during rotation, leading to side-to-side wheel wobbling. This will result in body and steering wheel vibrations. Tires often operate under complex and demanding conditions, enduring various deformations, loads, forces, and extreme temperatures while driving. Therefore, they must possess high load-bearing capacity, traction performance, and cushioning ability. Wheel alignment is typically required when the vehicle exhibits symptoms such as drifting to one side, misaligned steering wheel, or abnormal tire wear (e.g., cupping or scalloping), which are caused by incorrect wheel alignment data. Over time and mileage, the wheel alignment data may shift slightly. Even if no issues are apparent, it's advisable to perform a wheel alignment for new tires as a preventive measure.
Last summer, I replaced all the tires on my car. At that time, I happened to go on a business trip and drove a long distance. On the way there, I felt the steering wheel was a bit light and the car occasionally pulled to the left. I thought it might be a tire pressure issue, but the check showed everything was normal. After returning, I consulted a car-savvy neighbor, who reminded me that the wheel alignment might have been adjusted when the suspension was touched during the tire change. He suggested I get a four-wheel alignment. I tried it, and sure enough, the problem was solved. My experience tells me that simply replacing tires doesn’t necessarily require an alignment, but if the suspension components were disturbed or the tires were installed improperly, it’s best to check immediately. If not addressed, the new tires could wear unevenly within a month or two, with the inner edges wearing out faster, wasting a thousand bucks. The vehicle’s handling would also worsen, making high-speed turns unstable and increasing risks. So, I recommend car owners take a short test drive after tire replacement to check for any abnormalities. Early detection and resolution save trouble, money, and ensure safety.
