Tire Balancing vs Wheel Alignment

If you are looking for discount tires in Cincinnati, you can’t go wrong by visiting McCluskey Chevy. There are many different services that you can get done, but in this article, we will cover the differences between tire balancing vs wheel alignment. While they may seem like similar services, they are not.

What Is Tire Balancing?

The service known as tire or wheel balancing is meant to correct the uneven distribution of weight across all four tires. Off-balance wheels can lead to many problems, including vibrations, suspension damage, and even excessive wear on the tire treads. It’s important to have your tires balanced periodically, especially if you’ve put a lot of miles on your vehicle. This can save you a lot of trouble down the road, figuratively and literally.

When you come in to get your wheels balanced, each one will be taken off of your vehicle and mounted on a balancing machine. This machine will spin the wheel and tire combo together to mimic how it rolls on the pavement. Then, it will accurately measure any imbalances. After this process is complete, certified technicians will be able to install tire weights to properly balance out the wheel.

Signs that Indicate Tire Balancing Is Needed

At this point, you’re probably wondering how you can know whether or not your vehicle needs its tires balanced. The first sign you should look for is unusual vibrations. If your steering wheel, seat, or floorboard is beginning to vibrate, you could need a tire balancing service.

Take note of where the vibrations are coming from. If it’s in your steering wheel, that means that the front tires need attention. If you feel trembling in your seat, that’s an indication of imbalanced back wheels.

If you have run over a curb, hit a pothole, or even left your vehicle parked for an extended period of time, you may want to get the balance checked. A great time to do this would be during routine maintenance, during a tire rotation, or after you’ve had a flat tire replaced.

What Is Wheel Alignment?

Although tire balancing and wheel alignment typically occur during the same inspection, they should not be confused as the same service. Wheel alignment, sometimes called tire alignment, is an adjustment to the vehicle’s suspension. The suspension is the system that connects a vehicle to its wheels. It is responsible for providing a smooth ride experience on the road. Technically, a wheel alignment service doesn’t adjust the wheels or tires at all.

Keeping your vehicle’s suspension system properly aligned will prevent the car from veering left or right. It will also stop any unusual vibrations and improve the overall handling. When you get a wheel alignment done, the mechanic will make sure the suspension, wheels, and axles are squared up to be facing the same direction. To influence the position of the tires, the technicians will make adjustments to the toe, thrust, camber, and caster. He or she will also ensure that the steering wheel is aligned.

The Trio of Alignments

There are three different types of alignment processes, depending on what type of drivetrain your vehicle operated on. Vehicles with FWD will receive a front-end alignment that only adjusts the front axle components.

For models with RWD, they will undergo a thrust-angle alignment that realigns the back wheels and axle to be parallel with the front components and perpendicular to the centerline of the vehicle. It’s called a thrust angle because it refers to the angle at which the car’s rear wheels point to the vehicle’s center.

Finally, vehicles with 4WD or AWD systems will have a four-wheel alignment done. In this case, both axles will need attention and realignment. All four wheels should align like a rectangle, parallel to each other and perpendicular to the ground.

Signs that Indicate Wheel Alignment Is Needed

The need for a wheel alignment can be obvious or subtle. Several indicators may pop up, and you shouldn’t ignore any of these signs. The most obvious one is if your vehicle is pulling to the left or the right. Other less obvious indicators include tire squealing, uneven tread wear, a tilted off-center steering wheel, and vibrations in the steering wheel during acceleration.

If you’ve hit a pothole, driven over a high curb, or been in an accident, you should get the alignment checked. You should also get an alignment after most suspension work on vehicle, like if the lower control arms were replaced. Typically, you won’t need to get an alignment as often as a tire balancing service, but the two services can be done during the same visit.

Benefits of Keeping Your Tires Balanced and Aligned

As with any type of upkeep, keeping your tires balances and wheel aligned will save you from a lot of potential issues. Helpful in preventing premature and uneven tread wear, your tires will last a lot longer.

Getting your tires balanced every 5,000 to 6,000 miles will help to extend the lifespan of that set of wheels and improve their overall performance. As for wheel alignment, it should be checked every 6,000 miles or twice a year, depending on how much you drive. This also depends on the type of driving you do. Someone who heads off on adventures every weekend may need to align the wheels more frequently than someone who just drives back and forth to work every day. Ensuring that your vehicle’s alignment is properly adjusted will increase the lifespan of the tires, the handling of the vehicle, and even the overall fuel efficiency.

Ask Your Mechanic

No matter who you go to for tire services, you should ask your mechanic for a print out that shows your car’s alignment before and after images. Not only is it a great way to keep everyone honest, but it’s also just a cool thing to see.

Other Tire Services

Periodic tread checks, inflation, and tire rotations are a few other services you should consider.

Checking the tread will ensure that your wheels are running smoothly and efficiently. A worn-down tread can lead to issues, especially during inclement weather. This is because the grip is no longer there, and your vehicle will be at risk of slipping over wet pavement.

Making sure that your tires are properly inflated is another big one. Under-inflated tires can be dangerous during the changing seasons. With temperature fluctuations, the tires lose air pressure. This can easily be fixed within minutes by adding air.

Finally, tire rotations are another preventative measure to take to avoid uneven tread wear. This ensures that the wear is evenly distributed across all four tires, which can extend the life of the tires. Vehicles with FWD are especially in need of this service because the front wheels take the majority of torque and friction.

Discount Tire Services in Cincinnati

If you are looking for a great deal on tire services, call our team here at McCluskey Chevy. Located in Cincinnati, OH, we’ve got a highly-trained staff of technicians who will take good care of your vehicle and make sure she’s ready for the road. Moving from winter into spring, it’s especially important to get your tires serviced. Give us a call to schedule an appointment today!