Bought a new set of tires. Do I need an alignment?

[McLovin]

Car has 14,800 miles on it and switched from the crappy 240/40/19 Pirelli PZeros to 275/40/19 Michelin Pilot Super Sports. Much happier with them!

My main question is, should I worry about getting an alignment?

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Unless you hit some really deep potholes, you shouldn't need an alignment.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Year/make/model???

 

[Meghan54]

Given the amount you spent on the tires, wouldn't you consider it false economy to NOT get an alignment? It'd be a drop in the bucket for an alignment considering what you paid for the tires....and I'd rather know the alignment was correct for the new set.

Good choice in tires, btw. I've turned into a little bit of a Michelin fan, myself.

 

[JCH13]

Given the amount you spent on the tires, wouldn't you consider it false economy to NOT get an alignment? It'd be a drop in the bucket for an alignment considering what you paid for the tires....and I'd rather know the alignment was correct for the new set.

Good choice in tires, btw. I've turned into a little bit of a Michelin fan, myself.

x2, what's another $80 (what I've paid for a precision alignment to custom specs) when you've spent $1200+ on tires?

 

[SpatiallyAware]

My performance tire shop tire prices are about 5% more than discount tire.. But they do fantastic alignments, and the guys are honest if you don't need one. It's $20 to set up the lasers or whatever and check it.

Other places charge you for a full alignment whether it needs it or not.. So you need to find a good place.

I agree, it usually makes sense to at least have it checked, particularly if you need to warranty a tire for some reason. But, it really depends on year/make/model. Nissan with spindly suspension parts that are only held in with friction? Get it checked for sure. Domestic 4 door with beefy a-arms that lock in place? Not quite as huge of a deal.


I'm a huge michelin fanboy. It's all I use nowadays. You simply can't trust these tirerack-ish reviews where kids replace their shit OEM tires with medium quality aftermarket, then act like it's the best tire you could possibly buy just because it's so much better than whatever they had before. They cost more, but seriously.. Brakes and tires are the two things you should NEVER skimp on. It can be the difference between being injured or not - or worse. I don't understand why people spend tons of money on the best filters, plugs, things that your life doesn't depend on... Then buy 2nd tier tires.

I like the pilot super sports on the CTS-V, but I'll be lucky to get 25k out of rears and they aren't that great during our short winter season. I'm going to try the A/S 3 next since this it's driven in the rain a lot.. The A/S 3 is supposed to break loose more predictably than the PSS, grip better in the wet than the PSS, and I'm not trying to shave seconds off lap times or anything...

 

[Viper GTS]

I would think one would be thrilled about getting 25k miles out of a set of tires on a CTS-V.

Viper GTS

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I would think one would be thrilled about getting 25k miles out of a set of tires on a CTS-V.

Viper GTS

I'm really just guessing based on what I get out of the PSS on other vehicles.. Haven't had it long enough to know for sure. It's the slow one. 380whp, 4000lb.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Did the old tires have even wear?

 

[McLovin]

Year/make/model???

Sorry.

2012 Mustang GT w/ Brembo Brake Package.

The stealership I bought the car from had replaced 2 of the original Pirelli PZeros with Pirelli P6 All Season Touring tires. They put the P6s on the front, however they left 2 PZeros on the rear on the car. I did not know that this is what they had done, unfortunately.

I went by Discount Tire on my way back home, I live about 250 miles from where I bought the car from, and tried to buy the road hazard warranties like I always do. The sales guy at Discount Tire informed me of the two different types of tires and stated he would only sell me the warranty on the 2 P6's because the PZero's only had 6/32 tread life left and they recommend replacement of the tire(s) at 5/32. I also developed a bulge in the sidewall of one the P6's, so that kinda pushed me into just getting the tires I wanted.

When I bought the car, it did not include Tint like the sales guy told me it would and they wouldn't even give me a full tank of gas because "It's against their policy to do so with used vehicles". So needless to say, the mismatching tires didn't surprise me that much and wasn't worth the 6+ Hours of drive time and gas to complain to the dealer.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

So you recently bought it used?

If so, you should definitely get the alignment checked. Particularly with >$1200 worth of tires like that.


Once it's aligned correctly, by a decent shop, there's really no need unless you're busting potholes all the time. My cars generally keep their alignments until a suspension part is replaced. My truck needs an alignment every couple years, but I blast down gravel roads and stuff in it.

 

[McLovin]

So you recently bought it used?

If so, you should definitely get the alignment checked. Particularly with >$1200 worth of tires like that.

Yeah I bought it about 2 weeks ago.

You all are confirming what I thought. Good to know since I am more the computer guy than a car guy, although I know I am better than most people I know!

 

[Meghan54]

Since you bought the car used, I'd absolutely be sure to have it aligned, esp. after buying those pricey tires. I'd at least have it checked....without a doubt.

 

[McLovin]

Just in case anyone wanted to see the difference.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Curious of your before/after alignment specs.

 

[McLovin]

Had my alignment check at Kearney Mesa Ford in San Diego while I was in SD on vacation.

Service Advisor says this is within spec. What say you ATG?

 

[JCH13]

That doesn't look too bad.

No rear axle numbers?

 

[McLovin]

I was told since it is a solid rear axle, there are no adjustments needed (unless I get lowering springs, relocation bars, adjustable panhard bar, upper/lower control arms, etc).

 

[JCH13]

I was told since it is a solid rear axle, there are no adjustments needed (unless I get lowering springs, relocation bars, adjustable panhard bar, upper/lower control arms, etc).

Ah, good, no worries then.

 

[leper84]

Is it lowered already? Camber should be at -.8 from the factory, hard to tell but looks like your at -1.2ish on each side. Might get a little wear but nothing horrible.

The total toe is in spec and probably won't cause any wear. If you have cash to burn it might be worth having them bring the toe in a little bit. Spec is .20 total toe.

If you do see if they have a toe only alignment for a little cheaper. Since front toe is the only adjustment on your car.

 

[McLovin]

Is it lowered already? Camber should be at -.8 from the factory, hard to tell but looks like your at -1.2ish on each side. Might get a little wear but nothing horrible.

The total toe is in spec and probably won't cause any wear. If you have cash to burn it might be worth having them bring the toe in a little bit. Spec is .20 total toe.

If you do see if they have a toe only alignment for a little cheaper. Since front toe is the only adjustment on your car.

No, I haven't done anything to the car yet except get 275/55R19 tires all the way around versus 245/55R19 tires, although I would like to do some suspension stuff down the road.

 

[Danimal1209]

Good to know since I am more the computer guy than a car guy, although I know I am better than most people I know!

I always though computer guys were big in to cars too? It's the same type of addiction.

 

[LevelSea]

No, I haven't done anything to the car yet except get 275/55R19 tires all the way around versus 245/55R19 tires, although I would like to do some suspension stuff down the road.

Are you sure they weren't 255/40/19 originally?

 

[7window]

Unless you hit some really deep potholes, you shouldn't need an alignment.

This. Your car is so new that you won't really need it unless you want one for peace of mind.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

He bought it used.