Do you need a new alignment with new wheels?
A wheel alignment isn’t necessary when you have new tires installed, but it’s a really (like, really) good idea. If you don’t get an alignment with new tires, you may experience a rough ride and experience uneven tire wear earlier than normal—which can shorten your tires’ lifespan.
Can new wheels throw off alignment?
Changing rims doesn’t change alignment geometry. All your camber, caster and toe angles will be the same with any set of wheels you put on your car.
What happens if you don’t get your wheels aligned?
Steering Problems: When wheels become out of line, they aren’t facing in the directions necessary for optimal handling. This means that you may be trying to steer straight, and the vehicle is veering in a completely different direction. The more misaligned the wheels get, the less reliable your steering will become.
When do you not need a wheel alignment?
If your car’s tires don’t exhibit any excessive wear, or if the vehicle isn’t pulling to one side or wandering on the road, then you might save yourself $100 or more by forgoing the annual wheel alignment.
How does wheel alignment work on a car?
Camber and caster angles are typically factory set and hard to change. Most wheel alignment services involve adjusting the toe, which impacts how your car steers ahead and its thrust angle. With modern cars, which have many computerized elements, most alignment checks are done electronically.
How can you tell if wheel alignment is awry?
Usually the first thing a driver notices when wheel alignment goes awry is a steering pull to either the left or the right. There is a fine line between a steering pull and a normal drift. All roads are crowned in the centre to provide water drainage; the centre line is slightly higher than the outer paved edge.
What causes an off center steering wheel after an alignment?
An off-center steering wheel can be caused by worn steering or suspension parts. Just getting an alignment won’t fix the root cause. One last common point of confusion: Vibration while underway is often a symptom of out-of-balance tires, not bad alignment. Lifting or lowering a vehicle will affect your toe, camber or caster angles.