Under what circumstances is wheel alignment necessary?
2 Answers
Wheel alignment is necessary in the following situations: 1. When driving on a straight road, if you need to grip the steering wheel tightly to prevent the vehicle from veering off course, it indicates that a wheel alignment is required; 2. If you feel the car body floating or unstable during normal driving, similar to turning or driving on rough roads, it suggests the need for a wheel alignment; 3. When one side of the front or rear tires shows significantly more wear than the other, a wheel alignment is also necessary; 4. If the car consistently pulls to the left or right while driving straight, it indicates the need for a wheel alignment; 5. After installing new tires or following collision repairs, steering, or suspension system maintenance, it is advisable to perform a wheel alignment.
After driving for over a decade, I've found that the timing for wheel alignment is quite particular. The most obvious sign is when the steering wheel isn't straight—it noticeably tilts to one side when driving straight, or the car automatically veers left or right when you let go of the wheel. Uneven tire wear is also a red flag; if the inner side of a new tire wears out much faster than the outer side, there's definitely an alignment issue. Alignment is also necessary after replacing suspension, steering components, or shock absorbers, as new parts can alter the positioning parameters. If you've had an accident, like hitting a curb or damaging the rims, it's essential to check the alignment. Last time I scraped a curb, the car felt unstable, and sure enough, the alignment was off. The experienced tire shop mechanic said alignment should be checked every 20,000 kilometers. Now, I get it checked regularly to save on tire wear and prevent damage to the car.
