Do I need an alignment after snow tire install?

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patrick_b

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This is the first vehicle I've ever decided to run snow tires on, so I'm not sure if I need the alignment that the tire place is recommending. I have an extra set of 18" OEM wheels on which I'm mounting Dunlop Wintersport M3's. Same size as stock and same exact type of wheel. Do I need a 4 wheel alignment after mounting them?

Town Fair tire in Seabrook NH beat the NTB and tirerack price, so I'm pretty happy.
 
I don't think any alignment is needed unless you're changing the width of the rim & the tire. Just get a good balance and you should be all set. I might take a trip to Town Fair soon as well for a set of 20" Blizzaks or Hankooks.. I don't think my all seasons on the stockers will cut the hills I have around my apartment in snow..
 
patrick_b said:
This is the first vehicle I've ever decided to run snow tires on, so I'm not sure if I need the alignment that the tire place is recommending. I have an extra set of 18" OEM wheels on which I'm mounting Dunlop Wintersport M3's. Same size as stock and same exact type of wheel. Do I need a 4 wheel alignment after mounting them?

Town Fair tire in Seabrook NH beat the NTB and tirerack price, so I'm pretty happy.
Click to expand...

You don't need an alignment from what I know. You will only run them for 3-4 months anyways. If you have any uneven wear after that time, be sure to mark your tires or wheels somehow and rotate them the next time you put them on.

If you align your tires to your snows, you could slightly throw your alignment off for your summer/all-seasons.
 
EG3 said:
I don't think any alignment is needed unless you're changing the width of the rim & the tire. Just get a good balance and you should be all set. I might take a trip to Town Fair soon as well for a set of 20" Blizzaks or Hankooks.. I don't think my all seasons on the stockers will cut the hills I have around my apartment in snow..
Click to expand...


Thanks for the input & for the Town Fair recommendation. I used the shop in Seabrook, NH as it's just ten minutes from home and they beat everyone else, mounted & balanced. Lastly, since it's NH there's no sales tax. I set up the appt for the last week of Nov. I think it's still early to mount snows, but it ought to be cold enough at that point.

Thanks for all the help guys. I'll be passing on the alignment.
 
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