Getting New Tires Do I Need An Alignment?

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Camu Mahubah

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Ordered up a set of General Altimax HP for the 08 Focus. The car has 36000ish miles on it and the Hankook Optimos(junk) that came with are starting to crack on the sides. Driving to TN in a week and decided I want new tires before the trip.

For the alignment I'm gonna be paying an extra $79 bucks. Already paying $400 for the tires mounted and all so I'm looking at $500. Should I pay for this alignment now? Can I do it later?

Wanted extra spending money for the trip but don't wanna cheap out on maintenance at the same time. The Hankooks are wearing evenly it's just that they are already cracking on the side. The car doesn't wander going down the road. I can floor it and it still tracks straight. Not enough power to torque steer lol!

So your guys thoughts on the matter please...
 
If there is no indication that one is needed?

Sounds like a tire shop giving you a line you need one to have the tire warranty?
 
As another poster pointed out, I would make this decision based on evidence of mis-alignment on your 36k miles tires. Do you have uneven wear on them that points to mis-alignment? If so, then get it done. If they are wearing normally, and 36k miles would be enough to tell, then don't have it done.
 
I got a lifetime alignment at Firestone. It cost me $139. I get my car aligned every 4 months. Tires last longer, car drives better.

I would absolutely get your car aligned when you get new tires. 36k miles of potholes and bumpy roads is a lot of miles. Why start off poorly?

The car tracking in a straight line can happen when the alignment is off. You could have the toe off, the camber off etc.

If they want $79 and you won't get it aligned again before you get more tires .... just do it man.
 
Originally Posted By: Camu Mahubah
Ordered up a set of General Altimax HP for the 08 Focus. The car has 36000ish miles on it and the Hankook Optimos(junk) that came with are starting to crack on the sides. Driving to TN in a week and decided I want new tires before the trip.

For the alignment I'm gonna be paying an extra $79 bucks. Already paying $400 for the tires mounted and all so I'm looking at $500. Should I pay for this alignment now? Can I do it later?

Wanted extra spending money for the trip but don't wanna cheap out on maintenance at the same time. The Hankooks are wearing evenly it's just that they are already cracking on the side. The car doesn't wander going down the road. I can floor it and it still tracks straight. Not enough power to torque steer lol!

So your guys thoughts on the matter please...

No Alignment is needed.
 
I always get an alignment with 4 new tires, just how I was trained to maintain my vehicle.

Most recently got FireStone's Lifetime alignment ($179 here in Chicago) when I got my new MXV4's put on. Then again with Chicago roads, I need an alignment at least twice a year so it will pay for itself fast.
 
Originally Posted By: hate2work

You probably don't need one. I've replaced many sets of tires without an alignment with no ill effects.


I agree.

An alignment every 4 months is overkill, IMO.
Buying a lifetime alignment for $139 is a great idea if you plan on keeping the car for a long time. I would probably only use the service after each winter unless I knew I knocked the alignment out. The most I would do an alignment is twice a year.
 
I've never had to align a vehicle unless I had to replace a suspension component. I agree with others that given the even wear on the Hankooks, getting an alignment is not worth the money at this point.

If I could buy the lifetime alignment on my Dakota, I'd do it, because I have a lot of upcoming suspension work (ball joints, bushings, etc), and I may not do it all at the same time. But save for things like a suspension component replacement, I've never had an alignment done.

(And shh, I replaced both tie rod ends on my T&C this past month and "home aligned" the toe. If you keep a vigilent eye {and hand} on the tire wear, you can catch small mis-alignments that require only a small tweak to the adjustment.)
 
With no symptoms of pulling, drifting, or tire wear, I would not get it aligned.
Maybe they can run a printout of the specs for you to see , but not do any work unless it is authorized by you.

Alignment helps MPG and tire life, and makes braking and handling the best it can be. But even though I am a big fan of proper alignment, no indications that is it needed are given here.
 
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Alignment helps MPG and tire life, and makes braking and handling the best it can be.


There's actually guys that talk about alignments for getting that extra little bit of speed increase on their 1/4 times too.
 
I don't get an alignment unless I have suspension work done or notice uneven tire wear or some other issue. My wife's 01 Escape with 160k has never had an alignment. It still wears the tires evenly and drives like new. The original shocks still seem to be ok. When I replace them I'll get an alignment.
 
Unless it is a very reputable shop I would not get the alignment. I have not aligned my last few vehicles at all and have had perfect tire wear and tracking.

I have had vehicles in the past aligned and had to go back multiple times to get them as good as they were when I brought them in.

If I have to change a suspension part or if I was involved in an accident are the only times I would do an alignment. Of course our roads down here are smooth with no holes. It might be different if you live in michigan.
 
Toe in or out past specs can wear tires like an eraser.
This of course creates drag and loss of MPG and ultimate power to the ground.
Is 1//8" wrong too much? I think so.
 
Finding a good alignment shop and tech is difficult.

I have seen alignments performed without first checking the tire pressure! That's the most important first step yet it is often skipped...and let's not even get into the discussion about shops not being able to set tire pressure correctly.

Then I have had cars come back with the steering wheel off-center after an alignment. Or toe that is not equalized on both sides for no particular reason.

Worst of all, most of these newer cars with stability control NEED to have a calibration or steering angle reset done after an alignment. Hunter has a computer plug-in cable that accomplishes this, but few shops have it. Most shops are not even aware of the need to do this after an alignment.

It seems like at this rate, the dealership may be the only place to go for a proper alignment. I know that BMW has some very strict instructions on performing alignments, perhaps that is why every BMW alignment costs $250+.

So to answer your question, if tire wear is OK, the car does not drift/pull and the steering wheel is straight, then chances are the alignment is acceptable.
 
Originally Posted By: The Critic
Finding a good alignment shop and tech is difficult.

I have seen alignments performed without first checking the tire pressure! That's the most important first step yet it is often skipped...and let's not even get into the discussion about shops not being able to set tire pressure correctly.

Then I have had cars come back with the steering wheel off-center after an alignment. Or toe that is not equalized on both sides for no particular reason.

Worst of all, most of these newer cars with stability control NEED to have a calibration or steering angle reset done after an alignment. Hunter has a computer plug-in cable that accomplishes this, but few shops have it. Most shops are not even aware of the need to do this after an alignment.

It seems like at this rate, the dealership may be the only place to go for a proper alignment. I know that BMW has some very strict instructions on performing alignments, perhaps that is why every BMW alignment costs $250+.

So to answer your question, if tire wear is OK, the car does not drift/pull and the steering wheel is straight, then chances are the alignment is acceptable.


Thats a very good point! Might not be perfect,but acceptable.
 
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