[t4ure4n]

Edit: I am replacing all four tyres. Sorry if wrote in way that indicated I am replacing 2.

I just bought new Goodyear F1 Eagle Asymmetric 2 for all 4 tyres for my 2016 X3 Xdrive.

I am going to get them fitted by a local tyre shop. Someone suggested that I need to get alignment done which can only be done via software. Supposedly something to do with centre position of Active steering.

I have no idea if I have active steering and it can be done by local shop or I need take the car to BMW dealer.

Please advise. Thanks.

[e30lover318i]

Your alignment should be done like any other vehicle, the tie rods will be adjusted to your vehicles specs. Wheel is set to center position and locked, then tech will place sensor plates on rims and adjust tie rods. I’m sure there are more modern machines that do different things but that’s how a basic alignment should be done. Also you should never only replace 2 tires on an AWD vehicle. I’ve personally never seen any issues from it but it’s not a good practice.

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by t4ure4n

I just bought new Goodyear F1 Eagle Asymmetric 2 tyres for my 2016 X3 Xdrive.

I am going to get them fitted by a local tyre shop. Someone suggested that I need to get alignment done which can only be done via software. Supposedly something to do with centre position of Active steering.

I have no idea if I have active steering and it can be done by local shop or I need take the car to BMW dealer.

Please advise. Thanks.

Why didn't you replace all four? Its best practice and before you know it you'll be replacing the other two and you will be in a circle of chasing after your tires.

In terms of alignment, I didn't know X3's had the option of active steering, which is where your rear wheels turn a few degrees when you turn your steering wheel at low speeds, like parking lots, going slow around tight corners. This is an expensive option normally reserved for 5 series on up. Your dealer can tell you if you have it by giving them your VIN. I doubt you do. Therefore your alignment would just be a normal one like e30lover318i said.

However, if you are only replacing two, whats the reason? Are you sure you need an alignment?

[Wgosma]

I've been driving Bimmers for 15+ years, the only time I've ever had any of my car's alignment adjusted was after suspension overhaul (shocks, struts or control arm or thrust bearing replacement) or if I noticed unusual tire wear pattern and/or tracking problems.

If your car tracks straight/true and tire wear across the tread is even/normal there is no reason to get alignment checked/adjusted.

Good luck/Bill

[richardodn]

Active steering does require additional steps. An independent shop may or may not have the equipment needed. Here's a link to a post on 5series.net that talks about it. https://5series.net/forums/e60-discu...5/#post1152016

Basically, the issues surround measurement of the steering wheel position with any dynamic handling. Basically, the car gets hooked up to the alignment computer so it can tell when the car thinks the steering wheel is centered and the alignment proceeds from there.

[richardodn]

Also the OP said he's replacing with "Goodyear F1 Eagle Asymmetric 2" tires. Not 2 tires. [And BMW active steering has nothing to do with 4 wheel steering. It's an electrically actuated variable ratio system.] I guess I had that wrong.

[383vett]

Theoretically the steering wheel sensor needs to be reset after alignment. If your original tires were wearing evenly, I wouldn't worry about a new alignment.

[e30lover318i]

I’m more impressed that bmw has a current chassis with 4 wheel steering, the only car I can recall having this type of system was euro e31’s but this system was more of an early stability control (DSC before it existed) . I’ve only seen 1 e31 with this system in person and it was a grey market 850csi.

[t4ure4n]

Originally Posted by e30lover318i

Your alignment should be done like any other vehicle, the tie rods will be adjusted to your vehicles specs. Wheel is set to center position and locked, then tech will place sensor plates on rims and adjust tie rods. I’m sure there are more modern machines that do different things but that’s how a basic alignment should be done. Also you should never only replace 2 tires on an AWD vehicle. I’ve personally never seen any issues from it but it’s not a good practice.

Thanks for your advice.
BTW I am changing all four tyres

[e30lover318i]

Excellent! Please refer to richardodn‘s post if your vehicle is equipped with active steering, very useful information in that link.

[Marty in NY]

Ha ha ha, right, I read that as if the OP was only replacing two tires. Guess I gotta stop hitting the puter before my morning coffee

Ok, saw the active steering the OP mentioned and for me that meant integral active steering which can be seen in this video. This is why I said they most likely do not have it.

[pungo]

Originally Posted by Wgosma

I've been driving Bimmers for 15+ years, the only time I've ever had any of my car's alignment adjusted was after suspension overhaul (shocks, struts or control arm or thrust bearing replacement) or if I noticed unusual tire wear pattern and/or tracking problems.

If your car tracks straight/true and tire wear across the tread is even/normal there is no reason to get alignment checked/adjusted.

Good luck/Bill

I completely agree with over recommended frequent alignments. If the tires are wearing normally and the car tracks well, leave it alone and save your money on unnecessary work.

Generally a suspension component has to bend to throw the alignment off and those parts are pretty tough. I'm not saying it can't happen, it just takes a lot to bend them, think hitting a curb with some force.