Is a Wheel Alignment Necessary When Getting New Tires?
2 Answers
It is not necessary to perform a wheel alignment every time you change tires. Here are the relevant situations when a wheel alignment is needed: 1. The first scenario is when you notice severe wear on one side of the tire, but the tire itself has no issues. In this case, a wheel alignment should be performed. Additionally, if the vehicle has been in an accident and the chassis or suspension is severely damaged, this can also affect tire alignment, and it's advisable to visit a 4S shop for a wheel alignment. 2. The second scenario is when the vehicle has traveled 20,000 kilometers, or if it's a new car that has traveled 3,000 kilometers. Another indication is if you need to apply significant force to the steering wheel to keep the car from veering off course. In these cases, a wheel alignment is recommended. Similarly, if you feel the car body swaying while driving, a wheel alignment should also be performed.
Getting a wheel alignment after installing new tires is essential. As a mechanic who frequently encounters issues at the shop, I’ve noticed many people overlook this step, leading to uneven tire wear soon after replacement. Wheel alignment adjusts the angles of the wheels to ensure proper tire contact with the road. If you skip alignment during a tire change, the factory-set angles may already be off, causing the new tires to bear extra stress and quickly develop uneven wear or unstable handling. This is especially true if the vehicle has previously hit curbs or endured rough driving. I recommend checking alignment data every time you install new tires—it costs around 100–200 RMB but prevents wasting money on premature replacements. By the way, including an alignment during routine maintenance improves overall vehicle stability and extends component lifespan, which is far more cost-effective than repairs later. Don’t dismiss it as a hassle—taking an extra step for safety is always worth it.
