As an automotive expert with years of experience in the field, I can tell you that the question of whether to get an alignment before or after installing new tires is a common one among car owners. The answer, as with many things in automotive maintenance, is nuanced and depends on a variety of factors.

Firstly, it's important to understand what a wheel alignment is. Wheel alignment, also known as tire alignment, refers to the adjustment of a vehicle's suspension so that the wheels are set to the car maker's specifications. Proper alignment is crucial for the vehicle's handling and tire wear. It involves adjusting the angles of the wheels so that they are perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other.

Now, let's address the question at hand. When it comes to new tires, the primary concern is the uniform wear of the tires and the vehicle's handling. If your vehicle's alignment is already within the manufacturer's specifications, there is no immediate need to get an alignment done just because you are installing new tires. The new tires should perform well without any issues as long as the alignment is correct.

However, if you notice that your vehicle is pulling to one side, the steering wheel is off-center when driving straight, or if you are experiencing uneven tire wear, these are signs that your alignment may be off and should be checked. In such cases, it would be beneficial to have an alignment done before installing new tires to ensure that the tires wear evenly and last longer.

Furthermore, it's worth noting that worn-out tires can affect the vehicle's ride height, which in turn can affect the alignment. Modern steering and suspension designs are built to minimize this effect, but it's still something to consider. If your tires are worn and you are planning to replace them, it might be a good idea to have an alignment check done at the same time to ensure optimal performance.

In conclusion, while it's not strictly necessary to get an alignment done before installing new tires if your vehicle's alignment is already correct, it's a good practice to have an alignment check done if you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above. This will help ensure that your new tires perform to their best and last as long as they should.

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It doesn't matter whether you get your alignment before or after having your new tires put on. Most experts agree that the only effect worn tires have on your alignment is a change to the vehicle's ride height which, given today's steering and suspension design, should be negligible.read more >>