Under What Circumstances Is Wheel Alignment Necessary?
4 Answers
When wheel alignment is required, there are several situations: 1. Generally, vehicles must undergo wheel alignment every 20,000 kilometers or once a year (whichever comes first). 2. If you need to grip the steering wheel tightly to keep the car from veering when driving straight on a flat road, it indicates the need for wheel alignment. 3. If you feel the car body floating or swaying during normal driving, as if turning or driving on rough roads, it also suggests the need for wheel alignment. 4. When one side of the front or rear tires wears out significantly more than the other, wheel alignment is necessary. 5. If the car pulls to the left or right when driving straight, it indicates the need for wheel alignment. 6. After replacing new tires or following repairs due to collision accidents, steering, or suspension system maintenance, it is advisable to perform wheel alignment. 7. New cars should undergo wheel alignment after driving approximately 3,000 kilometers.
Just helped my neighbor check his car the other day - it kept pulling to the right while driving, requiring him to hold the steering wheel crooked. This situation almost certainly calls for a wheel alignment. When suspension components like shock absorbers or control arms get replaced, the factory settings go completely out of whack. If you notice scalloped tire wear or unusually fast inner tread wear, those are clear alignment warning signs. What many beginners overlook is that even seemingly minor incidents - like hitting curbs or deep potholes - can throw off suspension geometry without causing visible tire damage. I recommend getting alignment checked at least every 20,000 km, especially for vehicles frequently driven on rough roads. Don't wait until your tires are ruined to address this.
Last time my car hit a rock, it felt floaty at the front after repairs. The veteran mechanic immediately said: 'You must get an alignment after replacing suspension components!' Actually, you should be alert in these three daily situations: the car drifts sideways when the steering wheel is straight; the car veers on its own when driving straight with the handbrake released; or you feel wheel tugging when going over speed bumps. The most extreme case I've seen was an owner who didn't get an alignment for three years—two new tires were worn bald in just six months. Now during maintenance, I always ask the technician to check the alignment parameters. If the data shows significant deviation, spending 300 yuan for adjustment is much cheaper than replacing 2000-yuan tires later.
Friends in the tuning circle know this best. Once you adjust the suspension height, even if it's just lowered by two fingers, the factory alignment settings are rendered useless. When I installed lowering springs, the steering wheel became noticeably heavier, and there was a creaking noise when cornering. Measurements showed the toe angle was off by three times! There are three other common scenarios to watch out for: after an accident, even if the body panels are repaired, the chassis geometry might still be misaligned; when a new car reaches around 10,000 kilometers, play may develop in the steering gear; or long-term driving over deep potholes on one side can cause suspension deformation. When getting an alignment, make sure to choose a shop with 3D camera equipment—laser alignment tools at roadside shops lack precision, making adjustments pointless.
