alignment, balance, rotate -- how often?

[swchang]

I read on Dunlop's website that any time replacement tires are put on the car, an alignment must be done. Does that mean I need to get an alignment every time I swap summers and winters (i.e. twice a year)?

Tire stores like to say you should get regular balancing, alignments, and rotations. BMW doesn't recommend rotations, although I plan to do it every 5k on my winters, since they're the same size all around. Alignments I figured I'd get done every year when I put my summers back on, but only because Baltimore roads blow. If I were elsewhere, I was thinking I'd only align if I saw different tires wearing unevenly. As for balancing, I also was just planning to get that stuff done if I ever felt a shimmy.

What do you all do about this stuff? Align and balance every time you swap tires? :dunno:

[·clyde·]

What do you all do about this stuff? Align and balance every time you swap tires? :dunno:

You don't need an alignment every time you swap wheels/tires. Whether you swap or not, an alignment once a year (or even less frequently) is probably okay...just get it checked if it ever feels like the car is tracking differently than it used to.

Balancing isn't critical if you don't notice any vibrations, but it doesn't hurt to have it done every now and then. Many tire places include free rotation and balancing every X,XXX miles. There's no reason not to take them up on it, if you trust them not to scratch your wheels.

[Kaz]

My old car's alignment got hosed all the time, and I actually ended up buying one of those 'lifetime alignment' plans when I bought tires one time, and ended up really getting my money's worth.

I've never rotated/rebalanced/aligned my E46 in 46k miles.

[wheel-man]

i get the car re-aligned if checking/correcting tire pressure doesn't cure the change in my car's handling. don't see why you would do it more often :dunno:

[Pinecone]

Alignment every few years or when you hit something.

Balance when you have vibration of new tires.

Rotate, NEVER. BMW doesn't recommend it, and I stopped doing it on all cars due to other problems when you swap partially worn tires from front to rear. Differing wear patterns cause problems.