Your car is a complicated machine that needs to be properly looked after. This will ensure you can enjoy mile after mile of trouble-free motoring. Your tires are, potentially, the most important part of your vehicle. They are the only part of your vehicle in contact with the road.
That’s why there are strict rules regarding the minimum legal tread depth of your tires.
Of course, this leads to the question of what needs doing when you replace your tires, specifically, do you need to have them aligned after you’ve had new ones fitted.
Understanding Tire Alignment
For your car to operate safely the tires need to be fully inflated and all set in a straight line. This will ensure you experience uneven tire wear and that the car doesn’t drift in one direction when you’re driving.
In essence, the wheels on each side of the vehicle need to be parallel to each other. At the same time, the wheels on the same side of the vehicle should be directly in line.
This makes sense and you would think that the tires and wheels would automatically be aligned.
However, it takes surprisingly little effort to knock the alignment out, that means it will need to be reset at the garage, you can find out more here about Ethan’s Honest Auto and how they can set your alignment for you.
Does It Need To Be Done After New Tires?
The simple answer is yes.
Your tires can be knocked out of alignment when you go over a large bump or another obstacle in the road. Wear and tear on your steering mechanism can have an effect on your alignment, as can many other environmental issues.
The same is true when you have new tires fitted. The tires are bolted securely to your vehicle but there is room for movement. This is to allow the vehicle to function properly. Unfortunately, this movement also allows the alignment to move out of place. Alongside this, the tire fitter may inadvertently knock something when they are fitting your tires, causing them not to be aligned.
It is always safest to have your tires aligned after you’ve had new tires.
But, don’t forget you need to let new tires ‘bed in’. It’s important to take it easy on them when they are first fitted. You can also keep an eye on the steering, if your car starts to drift or feels different, take it back to the garage to have the alignment re-checked.
Clues Your Alignment Is Out
It’s best to have your alignment checked twice a year. This will help to ensure your car functions properly and doesn’t place any additional strain on other components.
As well as after having new tires fitted you can have your alignment checked and adjusted when your car is serviced.
Just remember, if your car is pulling to one side, you notice any steering issues, uneven tire wear, or you’re struggling to get your steering wheel to stay at dead center, you probably have an alignment issue.