2 sets of wheels, and alignments

[RevvdMedia]

How necessary would you guys think an alignment is when using 2 different sets of tires/wheels? I understand camber, toe, etc for suspension and how they affect the tire geometry, but if my winter setup 235/50R18 on the stock 18's and the summer setup is 275/40R19, would there be enough of a difference in those setups to need to do an alignment when changing wheels over seasonally? It would suck to have to do this twice a year, but if the $100 alignment will save me from ruining my tires, it might be worthwhile?

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[dwaleke]

Your alignment does not change when changing wheels.

Toe, Camber, Caster, etc all stay the same regardless of wheels/tires.

 

[Need4SpeedMotors]

You will be fine aslong as you don't start messing with the suspension itself to adjust to each wheel combo.

 

[Grimace427]

I recommend an alignment when replacing worn out tires to help protect the new investment, but that is only because after 20,000-30,000 miles or however long the tires lasted the alignment settings can be off enough to wear out the new tires. Simply swapping wheels/tires back and forth should not require changes to your alignment.

 

[RevvdMedia]

Thanks guys. I just wasn't sure as the offset and extra 40mm of contact patch would be different from the stock tires, wasn't sure if that would have meant with factory camber that the inner part of the rear tires would wear out excessively quick on the wider tires compared to the outside - assuming the factory comes with a somewhat minus camber on the rear stock as many cars do.

 

[Dannyho]

The only change that should really affect your alignment would possibly be if you went to a significantly taller or shorter tire. I'd say you wont have any issues.

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