# Wheel alignment necessary or change tyres?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/wheel-alignment-necessary-or-change-tyres/3588>\
**Category:** The Show\
**Created:** [August 24, 2007, 4:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wheel-alignment-necessary-or-change-tyres/3588 "2007-08-24T16:58:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![csundaram\_175091](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/csundaram_175091/32/24705_2.png) [@csundaram\_175091](https://community.cartalk.com/u/csundaram_175091)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2007, 4:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wheel-alignment-necessary-or-change-tyres/3588/1 "2007-08-24T16:58:25Z")

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We have a 2005 Toyota Highlander, which we bought in Dec 2004. It is mostly used for short distances driving around town and has only ~8,000 miles on it. We recently had an oil change on our car and the shop said there was uneven tire wear on all 4 tires (around 9/32 of tread on the middle; 7/32 on the edge). They said that a wheel alignment might be needed (although that was based on the evidence of the tires, not checking the actual alignment).  
  
  
  
 I am trying to figure out whether the alignment is actually needed. My understanding is that if the wheels are out of alignment then normally 1 or 2 tires would be unevenly worn – not all 4. Can anyone give any advice please?

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**Author:** ![mrv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/848f3c/32.png) [@mrv](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mrv)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2007, 6:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wheel-alignment-necessary-or-change-tyres/3588/2 "2007-08-26T18:09:16Z")

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Have you also checked the tire pressure? Is it at least the pressure as listed in the owner’s manual or the placard posted in the glove box or a door jamb? Chronically underinflated tires can also cause outside edge wear.

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**Author:** ![Troubleshooter](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/troubleshooter/32/36_2.png) [@Troubleshooter](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Troubleshooter)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2007, 5:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wheel-alignment-necessary-or-change-tyres/3588/3 "2007-08-30T17:47:40Z")

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That is underinflation.