Have you ever felt a vibration in your steering wheel or a car pulling to one side? If so, this could indicate two common car issues: wheel imbalance or misalignment. While both affect your car’s efficiency, they address different problems.
This guide will provide a one-stop shop for understanding the difference between wheel balance and alignment. We will dive into what each service entails and the signs you should watch out for. Apart from this, we will also see how they can extend the life of your tyres and ensure a smoother and safer driving experience. Join us as we undertake this journey so that you know the telltale signs and make an informed decision when necessary.
What is Wheel Balance?
Wheel balancing is attaching a small weight to the wheel’s rim to distribute its overall weight evenly on each axle. By doing this, the wheel can rotate the entire circumference of the tyre when it is in contact with the road. This ensures that the tyre is wearing consistently. The car services Adelaide state that wheel balancing is important as uneven wearing can pose a serious safety hazard for passengers. Apart from this, it can also make your ride uncomfortable.
While conducting this process, the wheels from the car are removed by the mechanic and loaded onto a balancing machine. This balancing machine spins the wheel to understand where the weight must be placed to correct the imbalance.
After understanding this concept, you must think, how long can I drive on unbalanced tyres? Whilst there is no given time frame, we recommend getting your wheel alignment and balancing done as fast as possible by a professional. To help you determine when you need such repairs, we have listed the signs you can look out for to understand when your car needs a wheel balance.
What are the Signs that my Car Needs a Wheel Balance?
You can enjoy a smooth ride if your car has properly balanced wheels. If you are facing issues driving your car because of the wheels, then here is a checklist of telltale signs you can look out for:
1. Vibrations
One of the most common issues of an unbalanced wheel is when the steering wheel vibrates while driving. So now you might think that typically, the steering will shake when you reach around 60 to 65 mph. When you slow down, the vibrations stop, and it returns to normal.
However, we are here to tell you that if a wheel is not correctly balanced, one side will carry more vehicle load, leading to an uneven rotation, which will cause vibration. If such issues arise, then it is time to call the best car services in Adelaide.
2. Steering issues
As discussed previously, if your wheel is rotating evenly, it can lead to a vibration in the steering wheel. This can hamper your ability to steer in a particular direction if necessary, leading to accidents or injuries. If you face such issues, it is never too late to visit an auto care shop and fix your car.
3. Reduced shock-absorbing capability
And an even rotation can impact your car’s shock absorbers and wheel bearings. The wheel bearings help in moving the car’s wheel with minimum friction. If your car’s wheels are imbalanced, this puts excessive pressure on the wheel bearings, which can cause a loud noise. Sometimes, even your steering wheel may feel loose due to this issue, causing problems like less vehicle control.
4. Poor fuel economy
Uneven tyres can also reduce your fuel economy as they require more power from the car. And we all know that consuming more power is directly proportional to increased fuel use. Therefore, this can be heavy on your pockets.
What is Wheel Alignment?
If you are now thinking about all the hype about wheel alignment vs wheel balancing, let us tell you about wheel alignment. In this process, the mechanic aligns the tyre on each axle so that both point forward instead of toeing in or out. If your tyres are not angled correctly, they can cause problems, as with unbalanced wheels.
What are the Signs that my Car Needs an Alignment?
Here is a list of signs you must take seriously, and visit an auto care shop Adelaide if you notice them.
1. Misaligned steering wheel
Your steering wheel should be perfectly aligned when you are not turning around the corner. You can check this by looking at your car’s logo embedded in the centre of your steering wheel. If you notice that the logo is tilted, then the alignment has a problem. Besides this, if your steering wheel does not automatically realign, this is also a telltale sign.
2. Excessive wear
If you are inspecting your tyres and seeing excessive wear, this is an obvious sign. In the case of a poorly angled tyre, you will notice that a specific area of your tyre has worn out. Obviously, in the case of an aligned wheel, the wear would be even in the tyres.
Unevenly worn-out tyres can pose risks that could lead to a blowout. This happens because the tyre is getting thin in one place and weakening the rubber material. Sometimes, the signs of car wheel alignment vs balance can be similar; therefore, it is important to get professional help before determining the issues with your vehicle on your own.
3. Road test
To understand if your wheels are misaligned, drive straight on an empty road and see whether your vehicle pulls to the side. If you put a lot of effort into holding your steering straight, it is time to take your car to the mechanic.
So, if you are now confused about wheel balancing vs wheel alignment because your car is showing similar issues, you must continue reading the next section.
Difference Between Wheel Alignment and Wheel Balancing
Before talking about car alignment and balancing service, let us tell you that both are equally important aspects of timely maintenance. The former deals with correcting the weight imbalances in the tyre, whereas the latter is concerned with adjusting the angles of the tyre. Both help prevent vibration and wobbling in your vehicle at high speeds. Now, after understanding the concept of car alignment and balancing service, let’s check out the benefits we can reap if we conduct such maintenance.
Importance of Wheel Alignment and Balancing
To get such servicing done, contacting a certified wheel alignment and balancing specialist is important. In this section, we list the key benefits that you can gain when your wheels function optimally.
- By using such services, you can improve the life of your tyres.
- The fuel economy of your car increases as your tyres do not have to work harder.
- Properly aligned wheels ensure that you have a smoother and safer ride.
- When you pick up the car alignment and balancing service, you increase the handling and stability of your vehicle during cornering and braking.
- Optimally functioning wheels reduce mechanical stress on car components like suspension and steering.
- With the help of these services, you can prevent uneven tyre wear.
- Moreover, you will minimise the vibrations and noise from your vehicle. This will result in a smoother and quieter ride.
- Most importantly, such maintenance may initially seem like an added expense. However, when you improve the life of your tyre, you are investing your hard work and money in your safety.
Read more: How to Diagnose and Fix Vibrations of the Brakes
Ending notes
So, after going through the whole piece, if you are convinced to conduct such maintenance, then it is time to contact a reputable car mechanic Adelaide. At ASFA Auto Centre, we offer competitive pricing and no hidden charges for wheel alignment and balancing services. Our customer satisfaction guarantee policy ensures that your work is done right. So contact us or visit our garage in person to get the proper evaluation of your car.
FAQ’s
1. What is the difference between wheel alignment and wheel balancing?
Ans. Wheel alignment adjusts the angles of the wheels to the manufacturer’s specifications, ensuring proper contact with the road. Wheel balancing corrects weight imbalances in the wheel and tire assembly to prevent vibrations.
2. How can I tell if my car needs a wheel alignment or balancing?
Ans. Signs of poor alignment include uneven tire wear and a pulling sensation while driving. Unbalanced wheels typically cause vibrations, especially at higher speeds.
3. How often should wheel alignment and balancing be done?
Ans. Wheel alignment is recommended every 1 to 2 years or after hitting a pothole or curb. Wheel balancing is usually done when installing new tires or if you experience vibrations.
4. Is it possible to do wheel alignment and balancing at home?
Ans. While basic adjustments or checks are possible at home, precise alignment and balancing require specialized equipment available at professional auto care centers.
5. Can improper wheel alignment damage my car?
Ans. Yes, poor alignment can cause uneven tire wear, reduced fuel efficiency, and strain on the suspension and steering components.
6. How much does it cost to get a wheel alignment or balancing?
Ans. In Australia, wheel alignment typically costs $50 to $120, while wheel balancing costs $15 to $50 per wheel, depending on the service provider.
7. What are the benefits of regular wheel alignment and balancing?
Ans. Regular maintenance improves handling, extends tire life, enhances fuel efficiency, and provides a smoother ride.
8. Do new tires need both alignment and balancing?
Ans. New tires generally need balancing, and alignment is recommended to ensure the new tires wear evenly and perform optimally.
9. Can wheel alignment and balancing fix all tire-related issues?
Ans. No, alignment and balancing address specific issues. Problems like tire punctures, sidewall damage, or poor-quality tires require separate solutions.
10. What’s the impact of delaying wheel alignment or balancing?
Ans. Delaying these services can lead to uneven tire wear, reduced safety, uncomfortable driving, and increased repair costs in the long run.
