Getting new tires and Alignment

kaimui22

Hi everyone,

I know I need to get new tires for my car...this guy who usually works on my car suggested Goodyear TripleTred tires
he said for 4 wheels + alignment it'll cost me about $950

but I also went online at Costco.ca and found that I can get MMichelin - Symmetry® tires for about $620 a set..without alignment

which option should I choose? $950 for better tires with alignment or can I actually get the $620 tires installed and find someone/some place to do the alignment for me?

Also how much does alignment cost on average at car repair places?

BTW, the tires I need are 225/70R16

Thanks for everyone's help in advance!

chobit

I don't know about it, but here is my finding at Tirerack:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/ti ... ssurance+TripleTred

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/ti ... del=Symmetry#Survey

Derek128

你不如講你架車係咩車先啦  

kaimui22

thanks for the link chobit...it seems Tripletred is A LOT better than Symmetry

Derek128 : i drive Lexus RX300

Derek128

Handling                  
Ride/Noise Comfort
同 Treadlife
e3樣 邊樣最重要 邊樣最唔緊要?
同埋會唔會用winter tire?

你唔做Alignment 架車可能唔係向前行
之後d新tire 會因為Alignment唔o岩 磨損得好快

[ 本帖最後由 Derek128 於 2008-9-25 23:00 編輯 ]

BarF1

alignment ~50 to 100.
mount & balance ~75 to 100.

Buying online will almost guarantee a better price, but are you willing to deal with the hassle of picking them up, mounting them, and getting an alignment done?

[ 本帖最後由 BarF1 於 2008-9-26 00:56 編輯 ]

字典仔

as far as i know Michilin Symmetry is not even a proper SUV tire for your RX330...

and should do alignment after any new tires changed!

4 wheel alignment at a reputable place for your vehicle is roughly $90 to $100

Intelstan

Costco is a good choice.

chobit

I am not sure, so I ask.  What would be the reason to get new alignment done every time you change tires?

Please advice?

Thanks

原帖由 字典仔 於 2008-9-26 00:21 發表
as far as i know Michilin Symmetry is not even a proper SUV tire for your RX330...

and should do alignment after any new tires changed!

4 wheel alignment at a reputable place for your vehicle is rou ...

字典仔

原帖由 chobit 於 2008-9-26 15:45 發表
I am not sure, so I ask.  What would be the reason to get new alignment done every time you change tires?

Please advice?

Thanks

alignment is needed because i would say 80% to 90% of drivers will run thru a set of tires in 3 to 8 years time. He/she will drive thru all kinda weather, dry / wet / snow; all kinda pavement, million potholes every winter, construction, distraction ~ tiredness, human error, poor weather etc and ran onto a curb. Even when u come out from a corner and ran onto a curb then down alignment could possibly go off (nth "really" bent, but it will just go out of adjustment.

If you see cars parked on the road, in the parking lot; how many of them got perfect wheels? i have seen friend's with curbed left side wheels, cuz they take a corner "too fast" and slightly kissed the curb; alignment can be off just like that...ppl would probably pay to replace the tire (if it damaged the sidewall), or repair the rim; but they might forget to do their wheel alignment...

how often i jump inside a car and the alignment is off? you just won't believe that even happened to 08 cars with less than 10k, alignment is already off!

how often do i tell ppl to replace their tires because they are "worn", and over 50% it was because of under or over inflated / poor alignment...their tires could possibly last longer if alignment was done! Not to mention those who likes to rub on the curb when they park, i have seen cars that i can even read what brand / model / size of tires they are using because they are all rubbed off!

i can probably say only 10% of the car i have replaced tires dun really need a wheel alignment. Up to 30% they are off front or rear; the rest would need BOTH adjusted.

i do all my car's alignment and detailing every 2 years, while i do all my fluids; my dad with over 30 years driving experience would have knocked off his alignment while my sister with only 3 years all i need was a wheel alignment check.

also, new tires (same or diff brand / model) will have diff characteristic. I have experienced when u put on brand new snow tires (or all season) steering wheel is tilted to a side, car doesn't pull or anything; when summer tires go back on steering wheel is straight again...

also proper wheel alignment can give u better gas mileage (just imagine both front tires go \/ and rear tires go /\, car will probably still go straight but i am sure it will take u more gas than || all around; of course, it won't be 0 toe every time but hope u can get my idea); better handling (car will go where u want it to go); better braking (yes it helps!); better tire wear and less suspension wear (to some point i have seen ppl with seriously off alignment, car drives weird but the owner is used to it)...