I'm getting ready to buy a new set of wheels for summer, should I have the car re-aligned every summer and winter when I change the wheels/tires?

Summer: 18x8 +30mm wheels, stock sport tire size
Winter: 17x7.5 +45mm OEM wheels, stock tire size

 

I dont think you need to get alignments everytime you switch wheels.

 

No, definitely not.

 

Excellent.

 

I disagree. At least check your alignment. I always have alignment checked when I switch seasonal tires and wheels. Not once have I NOT needed re-alignment. That said, I live in New York {pothole} City. And I am awfully picky.

 

^Maybe its just that you're picky. It seems like overkill to get an alignment everytime you switch wheels for the seasons.

 

Every time I've had alignment checked (usually comes free with rotation around here), the place has "claimed" it needed alignment so I should give them money to do so; even 2 days after having it aligned...

 

If a place takes the time to check the alignment, you can bet they will say it needs one. Like hybridamp, just a 3 months after getting aligned, the place I got new tires at said the alignment was all over and needed one badly. It is easy to doctor. Worse yet, most just zero the toe and call it a day. As long as I don't get abnormal tire wear or the car does not pull to one side, I don't bother to get it checked.

 

I get mine done in the spring every year.
It always needs some correction.