Is Wheel Alignment Necessary When Changing Tires?
2 Answers
Wheel alignment is not necessary when changing car tires. Specific details are as follows: 1. After replacing tires, wheel balancing is mandatory, which is unrelated to wheel alignment. If the vehicle does not pull to one side while driving and the steering wheel remains straight, alignment is not required. However, wheel balancing is essential; otherwise, vibrations may occur during driving. 2. If you notice heavy steering, shaking, pulling to one side, misalignment, failure to return to center, or abnormal tire wear such as uneven wear, scalloped wear, block wear, or edge wear, as well as sensations like floating, bumping, or swaying while driving, it is advisable to check the wheel alignment values to see if they deviate too much and make timely repairs. Changing tires inherently has no connection with wheel alignment; wheel alignment is actually a value-added service provided by tire shops to better serve customers.
Changing tires itself doesn't require a wheel alignment. Wheel alignment is about adjusting the angles of the wheels, such as camber and toe settings, to prevent the vehicle from pulling to one side or uneven tire wear. I've been driving trucks for long-haul trips for over a decade and have changed many tires. Usually, just replacing the tires is enough without touching the suspension system. But last time after getting new tires, I noticed the steering wheel was slightly off-center. When I took it to the repair shop, they found an alignment issue, and the edges of the new tires wore out in just a few days. Since then, I've made it a habit: every time I change tires, I have the technician check the alignment. If the car feels unstable or behaves unusually, I get the alignment done immediately. This protects the new tires and can extend their life by tens of thousands of kilometers. Keep an eye on the wear pattern of your old tires—if it's even, you can save on alignment costs. Alignment isn't expensive, usually around 200 yuan, and it's a worthwhile investment in the long run. In summary, alignment isn't mandatory when changing tires, but being proactive about prevention saves both money and hassle.
