Is Wheel Alignment Necessary After Changing Tires?
2 Answers
After replacing or repairing tires, it is necessary to perform a wheel alignment on the vehicle. Below are the specific details about wheel alignment: 1. Because there are certain angles and relative positions between the car tires, steering mechanism, and front/rear axles, these angles and positions may shift after changing tires. This can lead to issues such as the vehicle pulling to one side, reduced steering precision, misaligned steering wheel, or uneven tire wear, making timely wheel alignment essential. 2. Wheel alignment ensures the tires maintain the optimal angle relative to the vehicle body, reducing wear between the tires and steering components during driving. It also ensures tight contact between the tires and the road, allowing the car to maintain stable straight-line driving. 3. Patching a tire does not require wheel alignment; only dynamic balancing is needed. Performing wheel alignment after patching a tire can easily disrupt the balance of the vehicle's suspension.
I've always thought that whether to do a wheel alignment after getting new tires depends on the situation. If you only changed the tires without touching the suspension or steering components, most of the time there's no need to rush into an alignment, as replacing tires itself doesn't alter the wheel angles. However, if you notice the car pulling to one side, the steering wheel shaking, or uneven wear on the old tires, then an alignment might be necessary to prevent rapid wear on the new tires. From my own experience, a cost-effective and hassle-free approach is to have the technician briefly check the suspension system during tire replacement and proceed with an alignment only if issues are found, saving unnecessary expenses. Remember, regular maintenance and checking alignment parameters can extend tire life and enhance safety, especially during long-distance driving. Skipping it might even increase fuel consumption, but don't blindly follow the alignment trend—stick to the vehicle manual's recommendations.
