Is a Wheel Alignment Necessary When Replacing a Pair of Tires?
4 Answers
Replacing a pair of tires does not require a wheel alignment. Changing the rims and tires only affects the overall dynamic balance of the wheels and has no impact on the suspension. If the vehicle does not pull to one side while driving and the steering wheel remains straight, an alignment is unnecessary. A wheel alignment adjusts the angle coefficients of the vehicle's chassis system and is a maintenance procedure. The alignment process involves adjusting various component coefficients, altering the original settings of the vehicle's parts. If you notice symptoms such as heavy steering, shaking, pulling to one side, misalignment, non-returning steering, or uneven tire wear, it is essential to check the wheel alignment values to determine if there is significant deviation and perform repairs promptly.
I personally think that if the vehicle itself doesn't have alignment issues or abnormal tire wear, simply replacing a pair of tires doesn't necessarily require a wheel alignment. I recently replaced the two front tires, and the technician checked the chassis suspension, saying the original vehicle data was within normal range, so only tire balancing was performed. He explained that wheel alignment mainly adjusts suspension angles and isn't directly related to installing new tires. However, it's important to pay attention to the tread depth difference between new and old tires. If the rear tires are severely worn, pairing them with new front tires might affect traction. I've been driving for a month now, the steering wheel stays straight, and there's no vibration at high speeds, proving that skipping the alignment was the right decision. Of course, if uneven tire wear or alignment issues were noticed before changing tires, then suspension problems would definitely need to be addressed together.
Based on my years of car maintenance experience, tire replacement and wheel alignment are two different things. Wheel alignment adjusts suspension system parameters, such as camber and toe angles, while tire replacement only involves the wheel hub. Generally, if the vehicle hasn't been in a collision or suffered chassis damage, a wheel balance is sufficient when replacing just one pair of tires. However, there is one special case worth noting: if you install tires of different brands or specifications, or if the vehicle's mileage exceeds 50,000 kilometers, it's best to check the alignment data as well. Last week, my neighbor replaced a single tire, and it wore unevenly within two months. It turned out to be caused by misalignment due to aged rear axle bushings, costing him an extra tire in the end.
I think it depends on the situation: if you don't notice any steering wheel misalignment or uneven tire wear during daily driving, skipping the wheel alignment after changing tires is perfectly fine. However, be cautious with older vehicles or those frequently driven on rough roads, as aging chassis bushings can gradually cause alignment data to shift. Last year when I changed my tires, I had the mechanic check the alignment data, and the front toe difference between the left and right wheels was 0.5 degrees. Although I didn't feel any issues while driving, adjusting it did make the tires last longer. Now, after 10,000 kilometers on the new tires, the wear is still even. Also, a reminder: vehicles with modified suspensions or replaced suspension components must undergo wheel alignment.
