Is a wheel alignment necessary after rotating car tires?
2 Answers
Wheel alignment is required after tire rotation because there are specific angles and relative positions between the car tires, steering mechanism, and front/rear axles. After changing tires, these angles may become misaligned, potentially causing issues such as vehicle drifting, reduced steering precision, off-center steering wheel, or uneven tire wear. Timely wheel alignment is essential in such cases. Here's additional information: A four-wheel alignment helps maintain optimal angles between the tires and vehicle body, reduces wear between tires and steering components during driving, ensures firm contact between tires and the road surface, and enables stable straight-line driving. Wheel alignment is a maintenance procedure rather than a routine service—it's only necessary when problems occur, not as regular maintenance.
I used to drive my old car for many years and often rotated the tires myself, usually swapping the front and rear tires to ensure even wear and extend tire life. To be honest, rotating tires doesn't require a wheel alignment because alignment is mainly used by repair shops to adjust wheel angles and suspension systems, which has little to do with simply changing positions. Unless you notice uneven tire wear during rotation or feel the steering wheel pulling to one side while driving, then it's necessary to check the alignment to avoid damaging the car or compromising safety. I recommend checking tire pressure during routine rotations to ensure it's at the standard value, which can save a lot of money and time. Don't mess with alignment unnecessarily—it's quite expensive as a separate service. Rotating tires every 5,000 to 10,000 kilometers is enough, and once it becomes a habit, it's not troublesome.
