From the vehicle-engineering perspective of Tairui, understanding wheel alignment (also called four-wheel alignment or chassis geometry adjustment) is key to long term driving stability, tyre life, fuel efficiency and control.
1. What is Wheel Alignment & Why It Matters
1.1 Understanding alignment and vehicle geometry
Wheel alignment—more precisely called four-wheel alignment—involves adjusting the angles of the wheels so that they are set to the car manufacturer’s specifications. The principal parameters include camber angle, toe, caster and thrust angle. Proper alignment ensures that all wheels work harmoniously, tyre contact with the road is optimal, and steering and suspension behaviour remain stable.
From Tairui’s engineering viewpoint, even if the vehicle functions well, misalignment over time (or due to impact or suspension wear) can degrade vehicle dynamics and increase risk.
1.2 Why misalignment happens
Wheel alignment can gradually drift over time due to everyday stresses: potholes, kerb strikes, heavy loads, worn suspension components, or simple changes in tyre pressure and wear patterns. When the angles move out of specification—even slightly—driving stability and tyre performance can suffer.
2. When to Consider Alignment: Timing & Usage
2.1 General guideline for timing
A common maintenance question: How Often Should You Do Wheel Alignment on a Car? Most sources recommend checking alignment every 1-2 years or around 20,000 km, assuming normal driving conditions. Tairui supports this as a reasonable baseline for typical passenger vehicles on well-maintained roads.
2.2 Adjust timing according to conditions
However, if your driving environment is more demanding—frequent rough roads, heavy loads, after collisions, or aggressive driving—then the interval should be shortened. For example, some sources suggest every 6-8 months or every 6,000-8,000 km for harsher conditions.
2.3 Signs that you need alignment now
Even before time or mileage hits, you should consider an alignment if you notice:
The car drifts to one side when driving straight.
Uneven tyre wear (for example, one side or inner edge worn more).
Steering wheel off-centre or vibration when steering.
After suspension repairs, tyre replacement, or hitting a kerb or pothole.
In those cases, the question How Often Should You Do Wheel Alignment on a Car? becomes less about schedule and more about prompt intervention.
3. Benefits of Regular Alignment & Risks of Neglect
3.1 The advantages of keeping alignment within spec
Longer tyre life: correct angles mean tyres wear evenly.
Improved fuel economy: misaligned wheels cause extra drag and resistance.
Better driving stability: less drift, smoother steering, reduced driver fatigue.
Greater safety: fewer surprises on uneven roads or in emergency manoeuvres.
3.2 What happens if you skip it
Avoiding alignment checks means the vehicle may gradually develop issues: tyres wearing prematurely, steering feeling loose or heavy, increased fuel consumption, and in some cases, suspension components wearing faster. Tairui’s engineering team emphasises that a small deviation in geometry today can lead to long-term cost and performance degradation.
4. Tairui’s Guidance for Vehicle Owners
4.1 Set a baseline maintenance plan
Tairui recommends:
For typical usage: alignment check at ~20,000 km or every 12-24 months, whichever comes first.
For heavy or rough usage: check every 6-12 months or ~10,000 km shorter interval.
This aligns with the question How Often Should You Do Wheel Alignment on a Car? and provides an actionable guideline.
4.2 Monitor condition and act when needed
In addition to scheduled checks, watch for the warning signs described earlier. With Tairui vehicles, leverage onboard diagnostics and tyre-wear monitoring if available—the sooner you catch misalignment, the less cost and the better long-term vehicle health.
4.3 Integrate with overall maintenance
Alignment should be part of an overall chassis and suspension maintenance programme. When tyres are rotated or replaced, suspension components serviced, or after accidents, include alignment. Tairui encourages educating drivers on why geometry matters—not just tyres alone.
4.4 Use qualified service centres
Because wheel alignment is precision adjustment of geometry, ensure the service facility uses up-to-date alignment equipment and the correct factory specs. Tairui designs vehicles with specific geometry tolerances—following those is critical for achieving the intended performance and safety.
Conclusion
In closing, the question How Often Should You Do Wheel Alignment on a Car? does not have a one-size-fits-all answer—but a flexible guideline is clear: check every 12-24 months or ~20,000 km in normal conditions, and sooner in tougher usage scenarios. The key is recognising when alignment matters and acting accordingly.
At Tairui, we believe that vehicle stability, tyre longevity and driving safety all depend on correct wheel geometry—not just engine power or styling. Keep alignment aligned, and your vehicle will reward you with better performance, lower cost of ownership, and more confidence on every road.