Hey Guys, I’m switching between wheels. Do I need a wheel alignment each time I switch over? One pair are the Oem wheels and the other are 21” wheels with a different overall diameter. Thanks

 

If your new tires are super expensive it might pay for itself in the long run

 

I am not sure if there is any official guidance but I re-align my car every time I change a full set of tires.

 

I’m actually getting the wheel alignment first while on the oem wheels then switching over to the 21”s in a few weeks. Is this alright to do? Or do I need an alignment after every switch up? This is my real concern

 

It is not really wheel dependent, it is rather time dependent. What you want is to have a recent alignment to make sure even wear of a new set of tires.

 

Unless you hit a curb or giant pothole or something (a bushing) wears out, alignment should never go out of adjustment on its own. Has nothing to do with wheels and tires.

 

From what I understand, I can get a wheel alignment this week on my oem wheels. Then in next two weeks when I install my 21” wheels there is no need for another alignment. Unless I hit a pothole very bad or it’s over 6 months time between the switch up

 

That's correct. Should not be out of alignment only from switching wheels/tires, I've done this as well. Car should not pull left or right unless you've hit something substantial to knock the alignment off. Good idea to have alignment done every year or so or if you notice some unusual tire wear. Unless it's been done recently, when you have the alignment performed, I would check the control arms' bushings.