Is a Wheel Alignment Necessary When Replacing New Tires?
2 Answers
Replacing new tires does not require a wheel alignment. Wheel alignment is based on the four-wheel parameters of the vehicle, adjusted to ensure good driving performance and a certain level of reliability. Situations that require a wheel alignment include: 1. The vehicle's driving performance is affected; 2. Damage to the chassis and suspension due to an accident; 3. Abnormal tire wear; 4. Removal of axle and suspension components; 5. Replacement of shock absorbers, suspension arms, or steering control systems. Wheel alignment, also known as steering wheel alignment, consists of front-wheel alignment and rear-wheel alignment. Its purpose is to maintain stable straight-line driving, facilitate easy steering, and reduce wear on tires and steering components during driving.
When installing new tires, I have to share my experience. After driving so many miles, I found that after getting a wheel alignment, the car runs more steadily, and the steering wheel no longer pulls to one side. If you skip it, the new tires might wear out unevenly very quickly, which is a waste of money and also affects braking distance. Especially on the highway, losing control could be dangerous. Last time I changed tires without an alignment, and within a month, the tires wore out by a third, costing me even more in repairs. The alignment adjusts the wheel angles, ensuring symmetry between the front and rear wheels, which extends tire life. In the end, the cost of one alignment is far less than frequent tire replacements. So, getting an alignment when changing new tires is definitely a smart move—don’t cut corners.
