New tires = must do alignment
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1999 E320 & 2008 S550 Designo
New tires = must do alignment
I know it has always been the rule to have an alignment done after getting new tires. Do you guys stick to this cardinal rule ???
My car does not pull to left or right and the wear pattern is kinda normal...I am just afraid if they touch it ...they may make it worst. The car has not had an alignment done ever.
1999 w210
83k miles
My car does not pull to left or right and the wear pattern is kinda normal...I am just afraid if they touch it ...they may make it worst. The car has not had an alignment done ever.
1999 w210
83k miles
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From: Long Island, NY
01 E320
I put Fusion HRI tires on at 65k miles, no alignment. Now at 115k I'm almost ready for another set. I'll get the same ones because I love them, and no alignment. Car tracks perfectly
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1999 E320 & 2008 S550 Designo
That is good to know about the Fusion tires. I have General tires (Continental is parent company) and very happy with the looks, performance, and wear....and they were not expensive.
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1999 E320 & 2008 S550 Designo
But, I am with you regarding this....don't fix what ain't broken.
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1999 E320 & 2008 S550 Designo
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S65
This could very well be a real rule of thumb, it's just that in my 15+ years of driving (and 10 of those, relatively high performance vehicles), I've never heard of it. and I've never "suffered" from buying new tires and having my alignment thrown out of whack because of it.
And if a tire guy ever suggests that to me, I'll promptly ask him/her if he is out of his rabid assed mind.
And if a tire guy ever suggests that to me, I'll promptly ask him/her if he is out of his rabid assed mind.
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From: Charleston, SC
GL450
You should do an alignment if you change certain suspension components because it can alter suspension geometry and (most importantly) you often have to remove the camber bolts in order to install things like springs and struts and this alone will throw off your alignment, even if you don't lower the car.
Unless the diameter difference between the tires is massive, it shouldn't affect the geometry enough to matter.
Unless the diameter difference between the tires is massive, it shouldn't affect the geometry enough to matter.
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From: Centennial, CO
W210 E430
They are a pretty new design. They were made to offer a longer lasting summer only tire, they are not all seasons but should do fine in rain. I've heard a couple of complaints about them grabbing road grooves, but overall they are a good tire for the price. They definitely perform/grip well in warm, dry conditions and would be good for some spirited driving.
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a g
You should do an alignment if you change certain suspension components because it can alter suspension geometry and (most importantly) you often have to remove the camber bolts in order to install things like springs and struts and this alone will throw off your alignment, even if you don't lower the car.
Unless the diameter difference between the tires is massive, it shouldn't affect the geometry enough to matter.
Unless the diameter difference between the tires is massive, it shouldn't affect the geometry enough to matter.
Like I said above, the alignment should be checked with the tire installation. It doesn't mean it is always required however.
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W210 E430
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07 E63. 07 STi limited #606/800
Just take it to your dealer, hopefully they have that ramp they drive it up on, and it tells you on the screen if it even needs an alignment.
My rep just drove it on the ramp and i watched and it was slightly off in the front, i just got new tires too. but for them to check it should be free, but if its off i would just get them done. But doesn't seem like you would need alignment without any uneven tire wear or anything like that. I had slight uneven wear on my front tires. i was positive camber there for some reason, the car's suppose to have a bit of neg.
My rep just drove it on the ramp and i watched and it was slightly off in the front, i just got new tires too. but for them to check it should be free, but if its off i would just get them done. But doesn't seem like you would need alignment without any uneven tire wear or anything like that. I had slight uneven wear on my front tires. i was positive camber there for some reason, the car's suppose to have a bit of neg.
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1999 E320 & 2008 S550 Designo
Not so much a rule as a recommendation to at least get it checked.
The first factor in a vehicle's alignment is it's ride height. New tire = new ride height. Therefore it is quite common to need an alignment when installing new tires.
Like I said above, the alignment should be checked with the tire installation. It doesn't mean it is always required however.
The first factor in a vehicle's alignment is it's ride height. New tire = new ride height. Therefore it is quite common to need an alignment when installing new tires.
Like I said above, the alignment should be checked with the tire installation. It doesn't mean it is always required however.
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From: Charleston, SC
GL450
Think about it this way. They align the car from the factory with new tires. As the tires wear, the ride height drops and it comes "out of alignment" (quotes used because the difference of a few mm in tire height is barely measurable and will not affect tire wear noticeably). When you put new tires on, it is back to the original ride height that it was aligned from the factory.
Alignments adjust camber, caster, and toe. When ride height drops, it generally affects camber. A few mm drop has a very small affect on camber, and a small change in camber has very little affect on tire wear. If anything, the additional negative camber will improve handling. The thing that really eats tires is either toe or major negative camber (from an inch or more of drop). The difference in tire tread should affect neither of those.
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From: Toledo, OH
88 535is, 89 318iT
Really? Change in tire diameter causes a camber change? Prove me that one. Changing the ride height with tire diameter will not change camber/caster/toe.
As stated above, if you were happy with your alignment (no unwanted pulls), steering wheel position (centered) and tire wear on your prior tires, then you don't need an alignment.
Getting it checked can't hurt, and you might even find worn parts before they cause a problem.
Most people, out of the 18,000 cars I've serviced, have their cars aligned or ask for their cars to be aligned way too often for no reason or for the wrong reason (suspension/brake/tire problem).
As stated above, if you were happy with your alignment (no unwanted pulls), steering wheel position (centered) and tire wear on your prior tires, then you don't need an alignment.
Getting it checked can't hurt, and you might even find worn parts before they cause a problem.
Most people, out of the 18,000 cars I've serviced, have their cars aligned or ask for their cars to be aligned way too often for no reason or for the wrong reason (suspension/brake/tire problem).
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S65
Originally Posted by saintz;
Think about it this way. They align the car from the factory with new tires. As the tires wear, the ride height drops and it comes "out of alignment" (quotes used because the difference of a few mm in tire height is barely measurable and will not affect tire wear noticeably). When you put new tires on, it is back to the original ride height that it was aligned from the factory.
-shrug-
