Forester: Replacing Tires Question

[BRH]

I'm about due for replacing my original tires on my '01 Forester, after
about 33,500 miles.

My question isn't about which tires to get. Instead, I'd like to know
whether it's a good idea to have an alignment done at the same time. I
have no specific reason to think that I need an alignment. The car is
not pulling to one side and I can't recall hitting any huge potholes or
anything. But a lot of tire manufacturers recommend getting one to
maximize tread wear.

If it is a good idea to get the alignment now, are there any specific
concerns for an AWD vehicle? Can this be reliably done at your average
Firestone, Goodyear or <erchant's tire dealer? Or is it a more
specialized process for an AWD vehicle? I'd like to avoid going back to
my dealer for this......

Thanks!
Bert

 

[ed]

For the cost, it's almost always worth doing an alignment. The receipt
usually gives you the before and after specs of the alignment, so you can
see if there was a difference. A small amount of misalignment will not
necessarily cause any pull, but may be enough to wear the tires unevenly or
prematurely over the several years you will have them. Any good alignment
shop should be able to do the work. At the same time, they will check for
any wear in the components (ball joints, tie rods etc) before doing the
work.

Ed B.

 

[Tony Hwang]

Hi,
Then you're not making visual checks on your car walking around it
at least once a week or so. Just drive and drive until it is too late
and you need a new set of tires and alignment. Alignment usually goes
off if you hit a pot hole hard, banged into curb or drove on a rough
road, etc. Driving needs all your senses including 6th one.
Tony

 

[Apu]

Hi,
Then you're not making visual checks on your car walking around it
at least once a week or so. Just drive and drive until it is too late
and you need a new set of tires and alignment. Alignment usually goes
off if you hit a pot hole hard, banged into curb or drove on a rough
road, etc. Driving needs all your senses including 6th one.

I see dead dumb people all around me