Rotation after alignment?

[miamiparis]

I bought 4 Michelin tires with Costco, which gives free rotation. Then came the time to change the 2 front tires. I wanted to save and bought 2 Chinese Cosmo tires. The technicians didn't do a tire rotation. Were they supposed to do it?
Right after that, I did an alignment. One week after my alignment, I received a reminder for the free tire rotation at Costco.
Should I do this tire rotation ? or is it not useful because I did the alignment before that.

 

[ondma]

How worn are the two Michelins left on the car? The best practice is to replace all 4 tires at once, or at least have replacements of similar quality to the tire still on the car. It might not be a problem, but personally, I would not want to drive with such dissimilar quality tires on the car at the same time.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

How worn are the two Michelins left on the car? The best practice is to replace all 4 tires at once, or at least have replacements of similar quality to the tire still on the car. It might not be a problem, but personally, I would not want to drive with such dissimilar quality tires on the car at the same time.

I agree. I would think people would be less frugal on these maintenance replacements like tires for a newer car. Generally, a set of tires should last 50,000 to 70,000 miles, so tire replacement is not gong to be a new-car issue.

My Trooper is 24 years old. I replace all four tires at the end of the 6-year/70,000 mile warranty. Period. I just do it.

My tire reseller offers very good steel-belted radials at a good price, and the purchase entitles me to several things free over the warranty period: free rotation; free inflation with nitrogen gas; free wheel-balancing as needed; check the brakes as needed -- free.

Alignment typically costs $80. You wouldn't do a re-alignment unless you replace suspension parts like ball-joints and struts/shocks. You would absolutely do a realignment when such replacements occur. I would THINK you'd get a realignment when you purchase a set of new tires.

I would never replace two tires at a time. There once was a day when I was broke, young and fulla beans -- and I would buy retread tires for an old car. I would buy them as pairs, and sometimes singles.

If you're going to drive an old car, maintain it and keep it in repair. Don't cut corners; don't pinch pennies when spending a bit more will leave you with a serviceable and reliable vehicle. Tires are important.

 

[miamiparis]

I don't know how your 4 tires are worn out at the same level. It doesn't happen to me. I would prefer that it happens because at Costco, there is usually $70 discount when you buy 4 tires. Why replacing the back tires if they are not worn out?

 

[miamiparis]

I bought cheaper tires because I'm going to sell my 2008 car next September.
The two Michelin left on the car have 7/32" depth thread. I prefer to wait that it is 4/32" to replace them.
I wish I could replace all 4 tires at the same time, because usually, when you buy 4 tires at the same time, you get a good discount (you can get $70 to $100 discount in Costco). But my 4 tires are not worn out at the same level. Do you know why?
I still have my 2 previous questions. When they put my 2 new Chinese tires, they didn't rotate the tires, is it normal or no? It was the fist time I went to a cheaper garage, I usually go to Costco.
I still have my 2 Michelin tires in the back bought at Costco, so I still can enjoy free rotation there. After buying my new Chinese tires and doing the alignment, is it good to do the rotation or no?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

They didn't need to do a rotation when changing out the two, unless they were due for a rotation otherwise, but ideally the new tires would be on the front wheels of a FWD car, so that may have been a consideration too.

Alignment is one of those things that varies depending on the driver and car. I was raised in the "always do an alignment after getting new tires" school of thought, which has served me pretty well. Some people (particularly in areas with rough roads) check/adjust alignment more frequently. But I've put on new tires and had the car checked, and there were no alignment adjustments needed even after that long.

I don't know how your 4 tires are worn out at the same level. It doesn't happen to me. I would prefer that it happens because at Costco, there is usually $70 discount when you buy 4 tires. Why replacing the back tires if they are not worn out?

Rotate your tires regularly and you will usually see very little variation in wear life between the tires. Replacing tires that aren't "worn out" makes sense if the tires are old (dry rot = dangerous, likelihood of blowout increases) you are close to worn out anyway (tires already not gripping as well, maybe saves you a second trip to the tire place in a month or two.)

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I bought cheaper tires because I'm going to sell my 2008 car next September.
The two Michelin left on the car have 7/32" depth thread. I prefer to wait that it is 4/32" to replace them.
I wish I could replace all 4 tires at the same time, because usually, when you buy 4 tires at the same time, you get a good discount (you can get $70 to $100 discount in Costco). But my 4 tires are not worn out at the same level. Do you know why?
I still have my 2 previous questions. When they put my 2 new Chinese tires, they didn't rotate the tires, is it normal or no? It was the fist time I went to a cheaper garage, I usually go to Costco.
I still have my 2 Michelin tires in the back bought at Costco, so I still can enjoy free rotation there. After buying my new Chinese tires and doing the alignment, is it good to do the rotation or no?

New tires usually start at 10-12/32. To get one pair to <4/32 while the other is 7/32 you'd have to wear one pair basically twice as fast. Were you not rotating the tires, or did you do burnouts or something?

 

[miamiparis]

I had the free tire rotation at Costco, so I rotated them. Maybe my car needed an alignment and I didn't do it.

 

[miamiparis]

The front left tire was more worn than the right front. Also, when I turned right, the right tire was making loud noise. That's why I did an alignment.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

The front left tire was more worn than the right front. Also, when I turned right, the right tire was making loud noise. That's why I did an alignment.

Loud noises when turning is often a wheel hub, suspension problem, or brake issue.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Loud noises when turning is often a wheel hub, suspension problem, or brake issue.

I appreciate that he's getting ready to sell the car. This is always a decision-point in context of older-car maintenance. I can also see why he might simply want to replace the two tires as he did.

Of course, you want the tires to be properly aligned for the prospective buyer, so the steering wheel doesn't pull to one or another direction. Balancing is also worth attention, but they would do that with new tires.

I've noticed over many years owning different cars that -- sometimes -- with well-balanced tires and proper alignment, certain other part configurations can cause a harmonic vibration to occur at some speed, like ~55mph. Under or over that speed, it goes away. But that's not worth spending cash for, if you're going to sell the car.

 

[pcgeek11]

Loud noises when turning is often a wheel hub, suspension problem, or brake issue.

Or one of the tires squealing due to an alignment problem.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Or one of the tires squealing due to an alignment problem.

It would have to be a hell of an alignment problem. Between snow, ice, and crappy deteriorating roads, I've driven far too many miles on bent tie rods and such.

 

[miamiparis]

The 2 front lower control arms were replaced, then there was this squealing noise with the tires. Then I bought the 2 new tires and the noise disappeared, then I did the alignment, and much correction was needed in the front.

 

[ondma]

I had the free tire rotation at Costco, so I rotated them. Maybe my car needed an alignment and I didn't do it.

I feel sorry for the person who buys that car.

 

[miamiparis]

Why? No noise anymore and I don't feel the bumps on the road like before replacing the lower control arms, the 2 front tires, and doing the alignment.

 

[pcgeek11]

It would have to be a hell of an alignment problem. Between snow, ice, and crappy deteriorating roads, I've driven far too many miles on bent tie rods and such.

Not really. I had a truck with the toe alignment out a bit and when I turned sharply one tire would squeal as they were pulling against each other.