Is Wheel Balancing and Four-Wheel Alignment Necessary When Changing Car Tires?

[Faunus]

Wheel balancing is absolutely essential when replacing tires. Failure to perform wheel balancing can result in uneven weight distribution along the tire's central axis during rotation, causing lateral wheel wobble that manifests as body and steering wheel vibrations. When replacing wheels, pay attention to the following parameters: 1. Center Bore (CB): Refers to the diameter of the wheel's center hole. While wheels with non-OEM center bores can be installed using adapters, we don't recommend this for safety reasons. 2. Pitch Circle Diameter (PCD): For example, a PCD of 5x120mm indicates the wheel has five lug bolts arranged in a 120mm diameter circle. This must match the original specification. 3. Offset (ET value): A positive offset means the mounting surface is outside the wheel centerline, while negative offset places it inward. Passenger cars typically use positive offsets, and this value significantly impacts driving stability and cornering traction.

[Susie]

When changing tires, wheel balancing is an essential step. I learned this the hard way when my car shook violently on the highway after skipping this procedure. New tires may have uneven weight distribution, which can be corrected by machine testing and adding counterweights. Otherwise, steering wheel vibration will affect stability and accelerate suspension wear. As for wheel alignment, which adjusts wheel angles to correct pulling or uneven tire wear, it's not necessary every time you change tires. It's typically only needed when the vehicle pulls to one side or shows abnormal tire wear patterns, otherwise it's just a waste of money and effort. I recommend always requesting wheel balancing when getting new tires at a reputable shop - most technicians will include this by default.

[DelCora]

Every time I change tires, I emphasize the importance of wheel balancing to avoid that annoying high-speed vibration. During the installation of new tires, there might be minor imbalance points between the wheel hub and the tire. If not addressed, the issue may not be obvious in the short term, but over time, the steering wheel can shake severely, even affecting the brakes. As for wheel alignment, I usually do it every 10,000 to 20,000 kilometers or when encountering issues like uneven steering. Last time I changed tires, I didn’t do an additional alignment because the car drove steadily and there was no need for extra expenses. Remember, balancing is about daily comfort, while alignment is for correcting system faults.

[Sanders]

Wheel balancing is a must when changing tires to prevent wheel shaking and ensure safe driving. Otherwise, issues like steering wheel vibration or instability at high speeds may occur. Wheel alignment is not a standard procedure—only adjust it when you notice the car pulling to one side or uneven tire wear (e.g., heavier wear on one side). Otherwise, there's no need to spend that unnecessary money. Regular maintenance checks can save you hassle and expenses. When fitting new tires, prioritize balancing first, then decide on alignment based on how the car actually feels when driven.