jcf7

I mounted 4 new michelins. Do I need to get the tires aligned? It was
just done on the old set of tires. Your comments, as always, will be appreciated. thx.

Wachuko

Depends on the wear pattern of the old ones. If the wear pattern was normal I would say that there is no need for an alignment... mount and balance should be fine in that case...

A wear pattern that is different from normal would suggest the need for an alignment.

imho of course...

boolala

I put winter tires on my benz last winter and had it aligned in the spring. When I switched back to summer tires 1 1/2 months later the alignment was immediately off again.

JFScheck

Unless they are the exact same tires, get a realignment...

PTEC

I wouldnt worry about it unless the old tires had wear issues. If they were worn even then I wouldnt worry about it.

FlyingLow

Considering how much my tires cost per set ($1200 or so) I always get an alignment when I buy new tires. The alignment only costs about $75 so I think it's a relatively cheap way to ensure that these expensive tires wear properly.

jcf7

Flying, I received a "newsletter" from my dealer that contained "savings coupons"....one was for an alignment at $275.00! In any case, I think that I will get the alignment.

jcf7

Flying, I received a "newsletter" from my dealer that contained "savings coupons"....one was for an alignment at $275.00! In any case, I think that I will get the alignment.

JFScheck

Good call, especially on a high performance vehicle!

GreggT

If alignment was done, satisfactorily before buying tires.........why, on earth, would you have it done again?

I'm a big believer in having alignment done at least once if not twice a year (shoot, $1000 for rears on the Turbo is the only justification I need).......but mounting new rubber on rims has no direct relation to wheel allignment.

Tip.......handy always to request (and let them know you expect) a print-out of the align when complete..........it will show before & after........and if Pcar correct, will show Porsche spec 'ranges' for each. If you take an 'active roll' in tire wear, handling, etc......you may wish to provide input to them on the next align.....example: that they stay on the high-side of front camber range or whatever (as your handling, wear success, inflation, etc, from the last align has proven out).

nkhalidi

Another tip: even if you go to a relatively well-informed alignment place, many wrenches abide by the 'set the toe and go' method. It's a good idea to become well informed on the intricacies of alignment (camber, caster, toe) and learn how each variable affects the car's handling characteristics. Then, when you go to get your car aligned, ask for the Before and After measurements so that you can compare what changes, if any, were made to the car.

Personally, I'm an alignment dork. I'm the annoying guy in Tire Kingdom arguing over tenths with the mouthbreather behind the counter about my truck. The whole 'specified range' thing seems to me like a bad joke: just tell us exactly where it needs to be, and we'll put it there. And $275 for an alignment seems very, very high. I don't think an alignment should be more than $150. I can't see how a qualified mechanic would take more than two hours to perform an alignment on a modern car, especially using the newfangled laser machines at many high line dealerships.

GreggT

$250 to $275 for an all-wheel on a Pcar is pretty typical in these parts......assuming it's a 'high-line' shop (as you say) or tuner.