brand new car, wheel alignment after only 5000 km (3100 miles) ?

[tomcat1446]

does anybody actually do this or is it overkill ?,

it does seem to make sense though, once the new suspension settles, better to re-align no ?

 

[Scott91370]

87k miles and still haven't had an alignment. Coming soon though because it's time for new struts.

 

[astriuminc]

87k miles and still haven't had an alignment. Coming soon though because it's time for new struts.

did you complete the lower control arm recall yet ? need to have an alignment done after the dealer swaps out the faulty lower control arms.

 

[yrwei52]

brand new car, wheel alignment after only 5000 km (3100 miles) ?

does anybody actually do this or is it overkill ?,
it does seem to make sense though, once the new suspension settles, better to re-align no ?

No, it doesn't make sense. Don't trust everything said on the Internet.

 

[tex2670]

No, it doesn't make sense. Don't trust everything said on the Internet.

Especially stuff on Wikipedia with no citation support.....

 

[Turborascal]

This is nonsense for most vehicles.
I did take my low-mileage 2016 Miata in for a performance alignment to my specifications; but the "before" measurements were within factory limits.

As long as the vehicle isn't pulling to one side or exhibiting other unusual behavior and you've confirmed that it has correct tire pressures; I wouldn't waste my money.

 

[yrwei52]

brand new car, wheel alignment after only 5000 km (3100 miles) ?

This is nonsense for most vehicles.
I did take my low-mileage 2016 Miata in for a performance alignment to my specifications; but the "before" measurements were within factory limits.

As long as the vehicle isn't pulling to one side or exhibiting other unusual behavior and you've confirmed that it has correct tire pressures; I wouldn't waste my money.

Right on!

But to be fair, our 2016 Mazda CX-5 is the first new car we've bought so far I feel there is no issues on slight pulling or steering wheel centering. Every other new car I'd to bring it back to my dealer and redo 4-wheel alignment. For sure they're all out of specs one place or another!

 

[jlanger]

Our 02 Protege needed an alignment almost from the day we had it and got one at around 50 miles..

That care was always a bit out of alignment. Even a near totaling of the front end and replacement of the entire front suspension never solved it. Was never a huge deal it just got out of alignment really easily and I made sure to get one probably every year.
My 03 protege only got them when I replaced something major like ball joints, bearings, or other significant suspension parts.

 

[Scott91370]

did you complete the lower control arm recall yet ? need to have an alignment done after the dealer swaps out the faulty lower control arms.

We just got the actual recall letter Monday but being that we live in Texas, and not near the coast, I doubt we will get new parts. But an alignment should be part of the recall procedure. Hopefully I can get everything to happen at the same time.

 

[123373]

In my experience today's cars are pretty rock solid keeping their alignment. The only time I've even considered having my car aligned was when replacing the tires. Even then the alignment reports still showed my car within spec. As others have stated if your car is pulling or your tires are wearing unevenly despite proper air pressure, it would be worth getting the alignment checked.

 

[scrawd]

isn't this based on the road conditions where you live? I Live in Pittsburgh where the roads basically suck. I have mine checked/aligned every 5000 miles and it always needs a nudge here and there. I have 22000 miles on my 14 GT and it has been aligned at least 6 times (I have a lifetime plan). In fact I had it in 2 weeks ago and the back is out a bit but the alignment place could not adjust due to the bolts being frozen/stuck. I have an appt. at the dealer this week for them to look at that. The alignment place was not comfortable forcing the bolts since the car had 22000 miles. This issue cause odd tread wear on my snow tires.