So, last week I had an alignment done at the dealer because my steering wheel was a few degrees off center (to the left). Car drove great afterwards, so despite the cost I was pretty happy. This weekend, I swapped my stock wheels (stagged 16's) off for my winter wheels. As per the owners manual, my winters are non-stagged (aftermarket rims) with 205/55/R16's. Driving to work this morning I notice two things:
1. my steering wheel is now slightly off-center to the right
2. I am getting a little more vibration than I am used to in the steering wheel on the highway.
My winter wheel combo only has about 5000kms on it from last year, and I had them re-balanced this year at a very reputable shop before installing them. I double checked all my tire pressures and they're good. The tires themselves are cheap-ish Sailun Ice Blazers, which may explain the extra vibration. But what really has me confused is the steering wheel alignment? How can changing the wheels have any affect on this? Car still seems to track nice and straight, only issue is the off center wheel.
Since I don't drive it all that much during the winter, I am inclined to just live with it until the spring when I get my normal wheels back on....But I'd really like to understand this whole alignment thing, any thoughts?
1. my steering wheel is now slightly off-center to the right
2. I am getting a little more vibration than I am used to in the steering wheel on the highway.
My winter wheel combo only has about 5000kms on it from last year, and I had them re-balanced this year at a very reputable shop before installing them. I double checked all my tire pressures and they're good. The tires themselves are cheap-ish Sailun Ice Blazers, which may explain the extra vibration. But what really has me confused is the steering wheel alignment? How can changing the wheels have any affect on this? Car still seems to track nice and straight, only issue is the off center wheel.
Since I don't drive it all that much during the winter, I am inclined to just live with it until the spring when I get my normal wheels back on....But I'd really like to understand this whole alignment thing, any thoughts?