Ongoing vehicle care takes time, effort, and money, which is why many of us tend to skip out on the typical automotive servicing schedules set forth by our respective vehicle manufacturers. Unfortunately, when we neglect to service our cars at the appropriate intervals it can lead to serious performance issues that can wind up costing us a lot more money in repairs in the long run. One of the most essential elements of ongoing vehicle care is maintaining tire health.
Changing your tires, rotating them, and keeping them filled at the right level is an excellent start to keeping your tires in proper working condition. However, that’s not all that your tires need in order to last longer and not affect other systems of your car like your suspension. Wheel alignment and wheel balancing are also critical to the overall health of your tires and to your vehicle’s level of performance. Here’s some more information about the importance of proper wheel balance in your car:
What does wheel balancing entail?
Wheel balancing is a highly technical process which requires professional skill and advanced technology. Utilizing specific machinery and computer-generated testing, your automotive technician can detect whether each wheel and tire is evenly balanced and weighted around the axle. This requires them to remove the tires, putting them on a specified wheel-balance testing machine. If imbalances are detected, weight must be added to certain wheels to compensate for any differences. Then your wheels are put back on and re-aligned. This process is relatively affordable in terms of vehicle maintenance procedures.
When should you have your wheels balanced?
The rate at which your wheels will come to need balancing will differ depending on your typical driving conditions and habits, as well as what brand of tires you use. For instance, some tire brands retain their balance longer than others, which will make it so that you theoretically won’t have to have them balanced as often. The general rule of thumb is that every 3,000 miles you should have your wheel balance checked. However, if you notice any of the following symptoms in your car’s performance, such as: vibration in the steering wheel or all over the vehicle; vibration while traveling highway speeds; or especially uneven tire wear, then you should have your wheel balance and/or alignment checked.
What are some of the benefits of proper wheel balance?
When your wheels are properly balanced, it greatly impacts your car’s performance and overall health. Unbalanced wheels can take a toll on alignment and suspension components, as well as lead you to have to change your tires more frequently. Therefore, it’s important to stay on top of wheel balancing and have any concerning symptoms checked out by a professional auto mechanic.
Helps to ensure your safety
Traveling at high speeds with wheels that aren’t properly balanced can be dangerous. It’s not as easy to manipulate your car as you need to, especially when you have to make quick decisions. Turning can present problems, and so can braking on time. For these reasons, wheel balancing is important for your safety and the safety of others on the road.
Enhances vehicle comfort
Since many of us travel on highways to get to work on time, run errands, drop the kids off at school, we spend a lot of time in our cars. When your vehicle isn’t performing well or the wheel alignment is off, the intense vibrations one experiences can be quite discomforting.
Promotes even tire wear
One of the greatest benefits of properly balanced wheels is that it promotes even tire wear. Tires can be expensive, so it’s important to keep them in the best working condition possible for an extended period of time. Balancing your wheels keeps them straight and evenly-weighted so that they wear at an appropriate rate.
How we can help
The professional technicians here at Dell’s Service Center have performed tire and wheel services, including rotations, balancing, and alignment for countless drivers in the areas of Green Bay, Manitowoc, and Sturgeon Bay, WI. For over 46 years we’ve focused on providing affordable, quality automotive care for our community because we believe that when your vehicle is in its best condition, you can become more relaxed and therefore safer on the road. If you notice any concerning symptoms related to your wheels or tire health, please contact us right away to schedule an appointment.