Tire balancing is a tune-up for your tires’ set. It is one of the most recommended services on your vehicle’s owner manuals. It enables even tire wearing to provide proper weight distribution around the vehicle.
An out-of-balance tire will pose issues like low fuel economy, vibrations in the steering wheel, etc. This article will guide you through various tire balancing factors and why it is necessary for the vehicles.
The difference in Balancing and Alignment
Many of us get confused between wheel alignment and wheel balancing, but the two are totally different. Wheel alignment focuses on the angles of the tires and corrects them to go in the same direction. It also reduces the uneven tires’ wear and increases their lifespan.
However, wheel balancing focuses on keeping all the areas of the wheel-tire unit equal. It makes the tread wear even and your driving experience smoother. Balancing helps prevent the car tires from wobbling or hopping or creating vibrations.
What is the reason for tire unbalancing?
There are many factors that affect the tires and cause an imbalance. The first one is weather and road surface, like cold weather that can deflate the car tires and result in unbalancing. The other reason is the loss of wheel weight, and it occurs when you bump your vehicle into something. It can be the sidewalk curb, potholes, or any other object on the road.
The everyday wears are the contributor to tires unbalancing. There are some manufacturing imperfections that affect the tires and reduce their lifecycle. It is interesting how half an ounce of weight difference can cause vibrations in your car
What is involved in a tire balancing procedure?
You must have noticed the professionals using a tire balancing machine in a tire shop. They put the wheel unit on this machine, and it will pinpoint which areas are heavier and the lighter ones. Take a look at these simple steps of car tires online rebalancing:
- Attach the tire mounted on the wheel to the balancing machine.
- The wheel spun gives the required measurements, and it also tells if the weight is evenly spread or not.
- The technician then rebalances and adjusts the weight of the wheel. They spot the heavier weights and tries to correct them. It sometimes requires moving the tires on the wheel and then try rebalancing it.
What are the signs of unbalanced tires?
Detect the problem before it’s too late and takes appropriate action to prevent any mishappenings. Sometimes no matter how much you pay out for maintenance, the tires are the least taken care of part of the vehicle. Here are a few signs of unbalanced tires:
- Do you feel vibrations while driving when you increase the speed? At highway speed like 50 or higher mph, the driver can feel vibrations.
- Do you notice unusual wear patterns on tires? It is a clear indication that the tires are imbalanced. Notice the inner and outer edges of the tires carefully. If you see cup-shaped divots or scalloping, go get it checked by a professional.
- Do you notice weird noises coming out of the vehicle? If the car tires are imbalanced, you will hear many humming, buzzing, and strange noises. The faster you drive, or the more speed you pick up, the sound will keep increasing.
How to take care of the Tyre balance of your car?
Tire maintenance is essential for the vehicle. So, try to check and monitor the functioning of your tire regularly. Here are a few tips you can follow:
- Check the tire balance once every two years and if you drive through rough roads, go for it once a year.
- Rotate the tires after every 5000 miles
- Get the tires balanced if the weight on the rims falls off.
- Whenever you notice uneven tire wear, go to a technician.
Tire rotation and balancing aren’t the same things. Tire rotation involves switching the front and rear wheels to even out the wear.
- Why is Tyre Balancing required for vehicles? - February 10, 2021