How often to balance and align?

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Originally Posted By: Chris Meutsch
I only do alignments when getting new tires, which for me is every 60-70k/1.3 years or so. I do, however, rotate and balance every 10k.


I do the exact same thing.

 

[InvalidUserID]

Alignments - I'll do them when the car doesn't drive straight.

Rotate/Balance - Since I bought my tires at America's Tires, it comes with this service for free. So every 6K miles, I have both done since the shop is only >5 minutes away from my work.

 

[tommygunn]

Alignments - Only when purchasing new tires.....or chaning out a "suspension" part.....

Rotations - Every 7k......

Balancing - "As needed"...


Even though I got the Lifetime Rotation and Balance plan through walmart TLE, I don't want them re-adjusting weights, if the wheels are riding fine......

I was talking with one of the shop techs, and he agreed too. They get a lot of older woman, who think just because they bought the "Lifetime Rotation AND Balance" that they need the Balanace done......but, it's typically NOT the case.....

Now, the rotation is a good "scheduled" service.....but alignments, and "balancing" are not.....




BTW, curious how a "Lifetime Alignment service" works....? Is it for the life of "the tires" on the vehicle? Or really "lifetime" for the VEHICLE? haha.

 

[mechtech2]

There is rotation, balancing, and alignment.
Rotation at 8-10,000 miles is good general advice.
Rebalancing every 15,000 or so is about right.
Alignment? This can last a LONG time, if no hard bumps occur.
If there is no weird tire wear, the steering wheel is straight, and there are no pulls [other than a slight drift away from the road crown], it is OK.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Some tire manufactures require rotation every 5-6k miles for mileage warranty. I usually don't re-balance if no unusual tire wear or unusual driving behavior. But since Discount Tire/America Tire includes balance and rotation with their installation fees, I do re-balance on second rotation.

 

[rpn453]

I never balance or align unless it's needed. My mother's '99 Sunfire now has over 170k miles on the original front end with the original alignment and the car still drives straight and has perfect tire wear. No play in any components. She's easy on that thing! Lots of highway miles but plenty of city driving too.