What do you need to do after replacing all your tires?

Question

I just had all four original tires replaced at 106,600 miles with good quality Michellin tires. The original tires were in pretty bad shape and a previous shop mentioned strut replacement, but I think that wear-and-tear just took its toll for too long. I have hit a small curb at low speeds (about 10 mph) with the left (driver-side) tires a couple of times, but I think that the struts took the shock without damage because the "wheel to ground" contact performance seemed fine.

With the new tires, the car drives much smoother in every respect and has no pull to either side. They said that they balanced the tires, but I only saw them put the tires on. They said that I should have a front end alignment everytime I put on new wheels.

What does tire balancing entail?
When do you need to get a wheel alignment (front-end or otherwise)?
How do you know when you need to replace the struts?
What issues should be considered when replacing all of your tires?

I've never had so many excellent, understandable, and complete answers to a single question, so my choice for best answer becomes very difficult now. Despite my choice, I recommend that anyone reading this question review all of the answers in addition to the "Best Answer."

Answer 1

You need to get your alignment checked every time you hit a curb. And if you drove 106,000 miles without an alignment, you're WAY overdue for a routine alignment check. Routine checks should be done every 12,000 - 20,000 miles.

The alignment will include a physical inspection of the struts and the rest of the suspension system. They will need to be replaced when they're worn out of limits. It's NOT possible to "eyeball check" the alignment, especially if you're not a trained suspension mechanic and even they won't trust their "calibrated eyeball" unless there's obvious damage.

Balancing the tires normall entails mounting the wheel assembly on a balancing machine and spinning the tire to check its state of balance. If its out of balance, weights are applied to the wheels to counter the imbalance. The best balancing systems spin the wheel on the vehicle as this will effectively balance the entire rotating mass.

Answer 2

Now that you are starting brand new, you just need to maintain the tires as long as possible.

First, you should rotate your tires around every 5000 miles, this means they will switch back and front, right and left tires, so they all get even wear. You also need to balance your tires each time you do this, this means they fill the tires so they are all the same weight. If tires aren't balanced, this may cause tires to wear unevenly and also cause steering to vibrate.

Sometimes after tires are rotated/balanced, you may feel some pull, and then may need an alignment. However, it is not always absolutely necessary, you may not want the extra cost. You need to get an alignment anytime you feel too much pull.

As for the struts, I am not sure about that??

When you notice your tire tread is worn down too much, you probably need a new tire. Try the penny test, when you insert a penny between treads, you shouldn't be able to see lincoln's face (at least not entirely). Best thing to do is look at your tire treads now, so you will be able to notice the difference when they are worn.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Usually all you would need is alignment, when you wear the tires down that far. Alignment on some cars stays pretty good, but it's always good to check it after that amount of mileage anyway. Balancing is part of installing the tire and it must be done with the tire off the car, so you might not notice them doing it. There should be little weights attached to the rim, which were used to balance the tire.

Bad struts will usually squeek when going over bumps. Listen carefully next time you go over a speed bump. You can also push the car down at the front, really hard, and see if it bounces. It should bounce back up, then down to center, one time. If it boings up and down more than once you probably have bad struts or shocks.

Answer 4

its is a good idea to get an aliment when buying for new tires protect your investment as far as balancing tires it is done by a machine you my not have seen them do it but there machine may not have been in eyes view if theres no pull and a smooth ride they balanced them it would be very bumpy and a crapy ride if they didnt sturts usally one side of the tires would wear way more than the other and it would pull to that side. alot of machanics are crooks so you have to be careful but there are really good ones that give it to you streight if you have a smooth ride just go with it your strut is probly ok

Answer 5

ok i'm not a Mechanic, yet i'm a Tire Tech. you're able to desire to placed the hot tires on the rear. the reason for this is that's lighter then the front consequently desires greater traction. The motor weighs the front down. in case you have a blow out on the front it is straightforward to steer the vehicle. in case you have a blowout on the rear you have greater of of project of loosing administration. confirm the tires you purchase are the right length for the vehicle. There could desire to be a sticky label on the door jamb. whether it is not there a sturdy tire save could desire to be waiting to learn what length could desire to circulate on your motor vehicle. as far as form placed what ever you like, they don't could desire to be a similar form because of the fact the tires already on the vehicle. (in case you had a blowout together as traveling and the closest save did not have that form you would be in complication in the event that all of them had to be a similar). additionally undergo in suggestions the costliest tire isn't continually the suited tire to your motor vehicle. diverse tires are designed for categories of vehicles. purchase 2 and have the suited 2 placed on the front.

Answer 6

you should always have your tires balanced and re-aligned...balanceing the tires ensures even wear on the tire....re-alignment also ensures the same...if they say that the struts need to be replaced....replace them as this to could cause early wear on your tires......

Answer 7

If you got 106,600 miles out of a set of tires, there's absolutely nothing wrong with the car...in fact, I'd call that exceptional mileage from a set of tires.

Answer 8

i would suggest getting your car lined up.the garage will balance the tires when you buy them.bad struts can make your tires wear out,i know i need new struts on the back of my car,but if i were you,i would get it lined up.

Answer 9

You have to do four wheels alignment, to protect the new tires from uneven wear.
if nothing is broken ,don't fix it.

Answer 10

Drive...