Wheel alignment (tires, truck, driver, highway)

[Fourdifferentseasons]

Hi,

I've done research on how often wheel alignments should be done, and there isn't a consensus.

How often should they be done generally speaking? Thanks.

[North Beach Person]

Essentially only when you start to see uneven tire wear, especially cupping. Some incorrect tire wear can be caused by under or over inflation.

[mclasser]

I think shops recommend every year/12K miles but that to me is BS, like 3000 mile oil changes.

Basically whenever you notice a pull or abnormal tire wear is the answer.

[d4g4m]

If tires wear evenly meaning no inner/outer wear or cupping, there's no need to ever have an alignment.

[JBPisgah]

Originally Posted by d4g4m

If tires wear evenly meaning no inner/outer wear or cupping, there's no need to ever have an alignment.

I get one when the car doesn't track straight. I get an inkling by highway driving, then test on a straight road with no crown. It's very pleasant to drive a correctly aligned car.

[mustangman66]

My truck has 92K miles on it and has never had an alignment. I have even asked the shop before and they said that all of my tire wear is even so there is no reason to get one. Still tracks straight down the road.

[canadian citizen]

Nobody mentioned the one thing that CAN affect tire alignment..........Driver stupidity.


Smacking the curb with the right front tire, when trying to parallel park, will knock it out, as will the bad habit of driving too fast over speed limiting humps. I have seen cars where the right front tire's sidewall lettering is completely rubbed off, due to bad parking attempts.

Jim B.

[vwgto]

If you feel wobbling, which some may think has to do with alignment, more likely tire pressure and/or balance. Always check the easy things first.

[sirtiger]

do it when you are installing new tires or when your tires are wearing unevenly....usually by then, you need new tires.

[sirtiger]

Originally Posted by canadian citizen

Nobody mentioned the one thing that CAN affect tire alignment..........Driver stupidity.


Smacking the curb with the right front tire, when trying to parallel park, will knock it out, as will the bad habit of driving too fast over speed limiting humps. I have seen cars where the right front tire's sidewall lettering is completely rubbed off, due to bad parking attempts.

Jim B.

good point. Pot holes is also a big contributor. It caused hell on my precious sport car.