Wheel alignment after new tyres: when you need it and when you do not

No, not as standard. Wheel alignment is about the position of the wheels in relation to each other and to the car. That position sits in the suspension and the steering, not in the tyre. A new tyre changes nothing there. If the car was properly aligned before the tyre change, it still is afterwards. The ANWB writes that alignment is not part of your car’s preventive service schedule and gives no fixed interval. Have the wheel angles checked if you are in doubt, and in any case when you notice the signs listed below.

There is one good reason to think about alignment when you buy new tyres: the old tyres. If they are worn on one side, the car was probably not properly aligned and the new tyres can wear in the same way. Then alignment is not an extra, but the solution to the problem that wore out the old tyres. That is why our mechanic looks at the wear pattern of the old tyres first at every tyre change, and only then at whether alignment makes sense.

Wheel alignment is measuring and setting the angles at which the wheels sit under the car, to the values the manufacturer specifies. The mechanic fits measuring heads to all four wheels, reads the deviation on a screen and adjusts the suspension and the track rods. According to the ANWB, an alignment looks at the toe, the camber and the caster. In plain language:

The three wheel angles measured during an alignment. Which angles are adjustable differs per car. More explanation is in toe, camber and caster explained.

A proper alignment measures all four wheels, not only the front wheels, and adjusts what is adjustable. If the rear wheels are out, you can notice it as a steering wheel that is not straight when driving straight ahead. According to the ANWB, the effect of a good alignment is that the tyres wear more slowly and the car uses less fuel. The car also steers better, especially in bends.

Wheel alignment is needed when the wheel position has changed or when you notice it is wrong. The ANWB and manufacturers list these situations, and they match what we see in the workshop:

The wear pattern of the tyre is the best clue. According to tyre manufacturer Michelin, wear on one side of the tread points to an alignment problem and saw-tooth wear to a toe setting that is out. Wear in the centre or on both shoulders, on the other hand, is caused by the wrong tyre pressure, and alignment does nothing about that. A wavy pattern (cupping) points to imbalance or worn shock absorbers. All the patterns are in uneven tyre wear: causes and solutions.

Balancing is about the wheel itself, alignment is about the position of the wheel under the car. When balancing, the mechanic spins each wheel on a balancing machine and sticks or clips small weights on the rim, so that the wheel does not vibrate at speed. That is part of every new tyre fitting, and with us it is included in the price. Alignment is a separate job on an alignment lift and is not a standard part of new tyres.

The difference between balancing and alignment.

So if the steering wheel vibrates after new tyres, the cause is rarely the alignment. Think of balancing first, a tyre that is not seated properly on the rim or a lost weight. Read more in steering wheel vibration: find and fix the cause and in wheel balancing: what it is and when it is needed.

According to the ANWB (consulted November 2026), prices for a standard alignment are generally between € 70 and € 120 including labour, and it takes 30 to 60 minutes on average. The amount differs per car and per garage. On some cars more angles are adjustable and it takes more time. On other cars only the front toe is adjustable and it is quicker.

If we advise an alignment, we tell you what it costs with us in advance, and why. If the manufacturer asks for an alignment after a suspension repair, it is in the same quote. If the measurement shows that all the values are within the factory tolerances, we tell you that too.

We align with our own alignment equipment, on all four wheels and to the manufacturer’s data. The mechanic first checks the tyre pressure and whether there is play in steering or suspension parts, because aligning a car with a worn ball joint is pointless. Then the mechanic measures the position of all the wheels, adjusts what is adjustable and measures again. We tell you what we measured and what we adjusted. Everything about this service, including for electric cars, vans and motorhomes up to 3,500 kg, is on wheel alignment in Rotterdam.

If you are not sure whether your car needs it, call +31 10 479 00 00 and describe what you notice. Often we can tell you on the phone whether it sounds like alignment, balancing or something else. If there is space, an appointment is often possible at short notice. If you buy new tyres from us, the mechanic assesses the wear pattern of the old tyres and tells you whether alignment makes sense. More about our tyre service is on tyre replacement in Rotterdam.

Most uneven wear is not caused by the alignment but by the tyre pressure. Pressure that is too low wears both shoulders, pressure that is too high wears the centre. The ANWB advises checking the pressure every month, on cold tyres, that is, before you have driven that day or after no more than 5 kilometres. The right value is in the owner’s manual and on a sticker in the door pillar or behind the fuel flap. This also helps:

1. Check the tyre pressure monthly and before a long trip with luggage. According to the ANWB (consulted November 2026), pressure that is too low causes irregular wear, a longer braking distance and up to € 100 a year in extra fuel.
2. Take kerbs and speed bumps gently, preferably straight on. A hard knock at an angle against a kerb can bend a track rod or damage the carcass of the tyre.
3. Have the tyres swapped from front to rear if the manufacturer allows it. At a service or a tyre change we check whether swapping makes sense, and if so we do it straight away.
4. Look at the wear pattern at every seasonal change. If the alignment is the cause, a pattern that is only starting can still be stopped before the tyre is worn out.
5. Have the wheel position checked after a kerb or a deep pothole, even if the car does not noticeably pull. A deviation in the toe makes a tyre wear faster and unevenly.

There is no fixed interval. According to the ANWB, alignment is not part of the manufacturer’s service schedule. Have the wheel angles checked if you are in doubt, and in any case when the car pulls, the steering wheel is off-centre, the tyres wear unevenly, after a knock against a kerb or after replacing steering or suspension parts.

No. A seasonal change does not alter the position of the wheels. It is a good moment, though, to look at the wear on the tyres that come off. If they are worn on one side, have the alignment measured. Read more about the changeover on our page winter tyres in Rotterdam.

Yes. After a hard knock it is wise to have the alignment measured, even if the car does not noticeably pull. The ANWB lists a hard knock against a kerb or a deep pothole as a reason to align. Have the tyre and the rim checked for a bulge or damage as well.

New tyres do not change the wheel position, so the steering wheel was probably already off-centre or the old tyres were masking it. Sometimes you only notice it because the new tyres steer more sharply. Have the wheel angles measured. The measurement shows whether the cause is in the position of the front or the rear wheels.

No. A vibrating steering wheel at 80 to 120 km/h is usually caused by an imbalance in a wheel, a lost weight or a tyre that is not seated properly on the rim. Then balancing is the solution. Alignment helps against pulling, an off-centre steering wheel and uneven wear when the position of the wheels is the cause.

That depends on the part and the car. After new wishbones or ball joints the alignment can change, according to the ANWB. New front struts can also change the position of the wheels. If the manufacturer asks for an alignment after this work, it is included in the quote straight away. Does your car have a camera behind the windscreen or a radar in the bumper or grille? Then that system may need to be set up again after an alignment or after work on the suspension. That depends on the make and model. We do not calibrate cameras or radar ourselves. That is done by the dealer or a specialist company. Ask about it when you book and we will check it for your car. Read more about shock absorber replacement in Rotterdam.

No. It is better to call first on +31 10 479 00 00, so that we reserve the alignment lift. For a quick check, please call us first too. We schedule the alignment itself, on Saturdays too. If there is space, it is often possible at short notice. According to the ANWB, an alignment takes 30 to 60 minutes. You bring the car and we call you when it is ready.

• ANWB: Auto uitlijnen: wanneer, hoe en wat kost het? (in Dutch)
• Michelin: Tire inspector: wear patterns and their causes
• ANWB: Bandenspanning controleren (in Dutch)