New tires on 98 Accord LX - Do I need an alignment?

As much as I hate to admit it Costco is right. An alignment is to tell you
and the tire seller that your car is within specs and should not wear the
tires prematurely. If in 15000 miles you notice the tires have wear on the
inside edge and are now considered unsafe, then the seller may say too bad.
OTOH, if you can prove your car didn't wear out the tires, then your
challenging the tire manufactures mileage warranty.

Firestone offers a lifetime alignment, and using this I have seen several
customers get new tires at 20000 miles because the tires were suppose to
last 40000 AND because they were in every 6 month or so keeping up on the
alignment the ball was in there court (so to say)

For about 20$ Firestone offers a alignment check.


--
Stephen W. Hansen
ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
ASE Automobile Advanced Engine Performance
ASE Undercar Specialist

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/l/bl_obd_main.htm
http://www.troublecodes.net/technical/

 

skip the alignment. id chalk the talk up to an overeager young tire
monkey trying to sound more knowledgeable than he really is. he probably
drives a mustang that needs an alignment every year

 

skip the alignment. id chalk the talk up to an overeager young tire
monkey trying to sound more knowledgeable than he really is. he probably
drives a mustang that needs an alignment every year

 

I think it must be part of Costco's normal advice. I bought tires there for
my Acura once and they told me I should get an alignment prior to ever
seeing the car. I think it is probably a safe assumption that the vast
majority of cars need an alignment by the time they need tires.

 

I think it must be part of Costco's normal advice. I bought tires there for
my Acura once and they told me I should get an alignment prior to ever
seeing the car. I think it is probably a safe assumption that the vast
majority of cars need an alignment by the time they need tires.

 

All tire shops should do this; it is to validate the tire manufactures
mileage warranty-- Don't do it and the tires wear out in 10000 miles, you
could eat the replacement cost; do it then you might get pro rated for the
amount of tires you worn away.



--
Stephen W. Hansen
ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
ASE Automobile Advanced Engine Performance
ASE Undercar Specialist

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/l/bl_obd_main.htm
http://www.troublecodes.net/technical/

 

All tire shops should do this; it is to validate the tire manufactures
mileage warranty-- Don't do it and the tires wear out in 10000 miles, you
could eat the replacement cost; do it then you might get pro rated for the
amount of tires you worn away.



--
Stephen W. Hansen
ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
ASE Automobile Advanced Engine Performance
ASE Undercar Specialist

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/l/bl_obd_main.htm
http://www.troublecodes.net/technical/

 

No they are not. Cars don't spontanteously go out of alignment. If your prior
set of tires wore evenly across the tread, there is no reason to believe you
need to get an alignment just because you bought new tires. It is a waste of
time and money.

As it should be since uneven wear is usually caused by something other than a
defective tire.

If you get an alignment when you buy the new tires, it doesn't prove anything
except that the car was properly aligned when you left the garage. You could
hit a pothole that throws your car out of alignment on the way home for the
mechanics.

Tires that wear out prematurely becuase of poor alignment are easy to spot
because the wear is uneven. So getting your alignment checked regularly
is not necessary. The lifetime alignment is used by some places to try to
sell you more services. When you bring your car in to get checked, they
always find something else that needs attention.

 

No they are not. Cars don't spontanteously go out of alignment. If your prior
set of tires wore evenly across the tread, there is no reason to believe you
need to get an alignment just because you bought new tires. It is a waste of
time and money.

As it should be since uneven wear is usually caused by something other than a
defective tire.

If you get an alignment when you buy the new tires, it doesn't prove anything
except that the car was properly aligned when you left the garage. You could
hit a pothole that throws your car out of alignment on the way home for the
mechanics.

Tires that wear out prematurely becuase of poor alignment are easy to spot
because the wear is uneven. So getting your alignment checked regularly
is not necessary. The lifetime alignment is used by some places to try to
sell you more services. When you bring your car in to get checked, they
always find something else that needs attention.

 

Not true. I've owned cars that didn't need an alignment until suspension parts
were changed.

 

Not true. I've owned cars that didn't need an alignment until suspension parts
were changed.

 

And I've seen cars out of alignment from the factory.


--
Stephen W. Hansen
ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
ASE Automobile Advanced Engine Performance
ASE Undercar Specialist

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/l/bl_obd_main.htm
http://www.troublecodes.net/technical/

 

And I've seen cars out of alignment from the factory.


--
Stephen W. Hansen
ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
ASE Automobile Advanced Engine Performance
ASE Undercar Specialist

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/l/bl_obd_main.htm
http://www.troublecodes.net/technical/

 

You miss the point... This alignment isn't about the car its about the
tires.

We have in our shop tires warranted to last 60000... We put them on your car
and in 30,000 miles they are worn out. You come back to the shop and scream
about the tires not living up to your expatiations "You promised they would
last longer" But if you toe was out just a bit and your camber was out just
a bit, then this caused the tires not to last.
You might be able to see on the old tires if there is an issue; but can you
prove it later? We have customers who don't rotate tires as suggested and
wonder why the tires are wearing funny, or why the fronts are bald and the
rears are not.
A week ago we repaired the wheel bearings and put new tires on a local
delivery car; on the test drive the wheel is offcenter and it pulled; he
declined the free alignment check; when he comes back with worn tires in 2
months sure enough it will be our fault.
The alignment is suggested to VALIDATE the tire warranty..
If you say "NO" then the mileage warranty is Void; the same as if you
decline the extended warranty on something you buy.


--
Stephen W. Hansen
ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
ASE Automobile Advanced Engine Performance
ASE Undercar Specialist

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/l/bl_obd_main.htm
http://www.troublecodes.net/technical/

 

You miss the point... This alignment isn't about the car its about the
tires.

We have in our shop tires warranted to last 60000... We put them on your car
and in 30,000 miles they are worn out. You come back to the shop and scream
about the tires not living up to your expatiations "You promised they would
last longer" But if you toe was out just a bit and your camber was out just
a bit, then this caused the tires not to last.
You might be able to see on the old tires if there is an issue; but can you
prove it later? We have customers who don't rotate tires as suggested and
wonder why the tires are wearing funny, or why the fronts are bald and the
rears are not.
A week ago we repaired the wheel bearings and put new tires on a local
delivery car; on the test drive the wheel is offcenter and it pulled; he
declined the free alignment check; when he comes back with worn tires in 2
months sure enough it will be our fault.
The alignment is suggested to VALIDATE the tire warranty..
If you say "NO" then the mileage warranty is Void; the same as if you
decline the extended warranty on something you buy.


--
Stephen W. Hansen
ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
ASE Automobile Advanced Engine Performance
ASE Undercar Specialist

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/l/bl_obd_main.htm
http://www.troublecodes.net/technical/

 

I have. These weren't crappy super hard cheapo rubber rim protector tires
you get at discount auto stores. These were Goodyear Eagle NCT's on a
Dodge Omni GLH Turbo. I got right around 40k miles out of the tires. I think
the long life is attributable to a light weight car, (~2200lbs) on relatively
wide (195mm) tires.

 

I have. These weren't crappy super hard cheapo rubber rim protector tires
you get at discount auto stores. These were Goodyear Eagle NCT's on a
Dodge Omni GLH Turbo. I got right around 40k miles out of the tires. I think
the long life is attributable to a light weight car, (~2200lbs) on relatively
wide (195mm) tires.

 

It is about the car and the tires. A poorly aligned car will not handle
properly, which is dangerous.

If that is the case, then the tire warranty should clearly state it.


I never buy tires because of a wear warranty. Those types of tires tend to be
poor performers. So it is a non-issue for me.

 

It is about the car and the tires. A poorly aligned car will not handle
properly, which is dangerous.

If that is the case, then the tire warranty should clearly state it.


I never buy tires because of a wear warranty. Those types of tires tend to be
poor performers. So it is a non-issue for me.

 

Stephen:

Out of curiousity - do you see customers who actually get 60,000
million on a set off tires especially front wheel drive cars?

Any brands you prefer? I always had weird stuff with Michelins as they
would seem to attract nails.