Is Wheel Alignment Necessary When Installing New Tires?

[LucyLee]

Wheel alignment is not required when installing new tires. Wheel alignment is a maintenance procedure that involves adjusting the geometric angles of tire steering and suspension components to ensure tight contact between the tires and the ground. Steps for replacing new tires: 1. Use a jack to lift the vehicle to a certain height; 2. Remove the screws and take off the old tires; 3. Install the new tires and lower the jack. Situations that require wheel alignment: 1. Replacement or repair of shock absorbers or steering system; 2. Frequent driving on roads and rapid crossing of speed bumps; 3. The vehicle has been involved in a collision, or exhibits issues such as drifting, reduced steering precision, or misaligned steering wheel; 4. The vehicle drifts during driving; 5. Obvious wear on car tires; 6. Replacement of chassis or suspension components.

[FelixLynn]

Back when I worked at the auto repair shop, I noticed many car owners rush to get a wheel alignment right after changing tires—it's actually a bit of a waste of money. Getting new tires and a four-wheel alignment are completely different things. Wheel balancing is what’s directly related to tire replacement—the mechanic attaches lead weights to the rim to offset any weight imbalance in the tire. But a four-wheel alignment adjusts the suspension angles, and unless your car already pulls to one side, the steering wheel shakes, or the old tires showed uneven wear (meaning the inner or outer edges wore out much faster), there’s really no need for it. I’ve seen too many people get upsold on alignment services right after a tire change, only to find their car’s settings were perfectly fine. Remember, after changing tires, drive for a few days first—if the steering feels normal and the grip is good, there’s no need to bother with an alignment.

[DiQuinn]

Last week, my brother’s car had its tires replaced, and the repair shop immediately tried to upsell him on a wheel alignment, which made me so angry that I gave him an on-the-spot lesson. Getting new tires is like changing shoes—if they don’t fit, you might just get blisters. But a wheel alignment is about correcting your walking posture. So, the key after a tire change is to get a wheel balance! If the weight distribution is uneven when the tires rotate, the steering wheel will shake. As for alignment, it’s only necessary if you’ve recently hit a curb, scraped the undercarriage on a speed bump, or noticed that the old tires were worn down to baldness on one side. My old car hasn’t had an alignment in five years, and it’s still rock-solid on the highway. Nowadays, auto shops love to say 'alignment is a must after tire changes'—it’s just a scam to squeeze more money out of people.

[StSienna]

From the perspective of a tire shop worker, let me give you some practical advice. If you feel the steering wheel is heavier than before after getting new tires, or if the car starts shaking when the speed exceeds 80 km/h, you might need an alignment. But in most cases, just doing wheel balancing is enough. What is wheel balancing? It's when there's a slight weight imbalance after mounting the tire on the rim, causing vibrations due to centrifugal force at high speeds. Our shop equipment can show exactly how many grams are off during balancing, and adding a few lead weights can fix it. What about four-wheel alignment? It involves adjusting the toe and camber angles of the suspension. For example, if your rear wheels are tilted inward like pigeon toes, the car will fishtail when cornering. Experienced mechanics will usually recommend driving for two weeks before deciding whether an alignment is necessary.

[DiAvery]

It's fine to change tires without doing an alignment. Don't listen to those who make it sound so mysterious—there's a method to it. For new cars or vehicles that have recently had an alignment, a simple wheel balance is enough before hitting the road. However, there's one exception: if you notice signs of tampering with the suspension bolts when removing the tires, or if the chassis components are rusted or deformed (especially in northern areas where road salt causes severe corrosion), the alignment parameters might be off. Additionally, for older cars with worn suspension bushings, the angles can easily go out of spec. My advice is to have the shop check the tire wear uniformity when changing tires—if the inner side is worn flat while the outer side still looks new, schedule an alignment immediately. For normal wear, a tread depth difference of around 3 mm is acceptable.