Previously I would get a Four Wheel Alignment carried out whenever I swapped over from Summer to Cold Weather Tyres, and back again.

 

I have recently fitted All Season Tyres, should I get another 4WA carried out, even thought it was just done in March this year (less than 1500 miles ago), or can it wait until next year when I can combine it with its annual service?  

 

Many thanks,

 

Fin

I might be totally wrong here but can't see any reason why you'd need to do it so often (or just because you changed tyres) if there wasn't any underlying issue in the first place?

It was just a habit I got into whilst swapping the wheels over.  It was more or less cost effective to have a 4WA carried out at £60-70 (with the wheels swapped over FOC) than just have the wheels swapped over for £40-50 - National Tyres even tried to charge £80!

 

Not sure if the 4WA played any part in it, but I was getting at least 5 years and over 50,000 miles out of  my Summer and Cold Weather Tyres.  The Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance and Nokian WR A3 still had 4mm of tread left, and were only being replaced due to slight cracking near the tread.

 

Is there a 'rule of thumb' as to how often it should be carried out?

6 minutes ago, Fin69 said:

It was just a habit I got into whilst swapping the wheels over.  It was more or less cost effective to have a 4WA carried out at £60-70 (with the wheels swapped over FOC) than just have the wheels swapped over for £40-50 - National Tyres even tried to charge £80!

Not sure if the 4WA played any part in it, but I was getting at least 5 years and over 50,000 miles out of  my Summer and Cold Weather Tyres.  The Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance and Nokian WR A3 still had 4mm of tread left, and were only being replaced due to slight cracking near the tread.

Is there a 'rule of thumb' as to how often it should be carried out?

You initially mentioned swapping tyres but now you've said swapping wheels.

FYI I swap wheels over twice a year and have never felt the need to have a 4WA done.

I might not be the 'rule of thumb' though Fin.

1 minute ago, john999boy said:

You initially mentioned swapping tyres but now you've said swapping wheels.

FYI I swap wheels over twice a year and have never felt the need to have a 4WA done.

I might not be the 'rule of thumb' though Fin.

+1 with John here also swap wheels/tyres twice a year and if your wheels are correctly weighted and you don't bash into kerbs on a regular basis can't see the need for 4WA.

57 minutes ago, john999boy said:

You initially mentioned swapping tyres but now you've said swapping wheels.

FYI I swap wheels over twice a year and have never felt the need to have a 4WA done.

I might not be the 'rule of thumb' though Fin.

Yeah my bad, I meant wheels and tyres. 

 

When I first looked into fitting Cold Weather Tyres many moons ago, having 4WA carried out at the swap over was recommended by quite a few people on here. 

 

Happy to just get 4WA when I  feel it needs it. 

 

Thanks all. 

One way to help you know if your alignment is worth checking can be done thus-

 

You need to do this before you swap your tyres.

Rub the outside tread blocks of the tyres, first towards the front of the car, then towards the back of the car.

If when rubbing towards the back of the car the blocks catch/pull at your fingers then I would get it checked.

 

Best described as the blocks have developed a saw tooth pattern.

I find if you are swapping your tyres twice a year you might not notice from tyre wear alone that there is a problem.

 

I run summer and winter tyres.

I also rotate the position of the tyres from their previous fitted place when refitting them.

 

Thanks AG Falco