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Does your car vibrate rather strangely or pull to the right or left? These may be signs that your tires need balancing or your car needs a wheel alignment. You should be scheduling both of these services regularly to keep your vehicle running smoothly. But do you know the difference between them? Read on to find out.
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Tire Balancing
Tire balancing ensures that your car’s weight is evenly distributed among your four tires. It’s important whether you own an old jalopy or a top new Chevrolet for sale. You’ll know your car needs tire balancing if it starts vibrating. Perhaps you’re noticing a weird shaking in the steering wheel; in that case, your front tires may be unbalanced. If you feel the vibration in the seats, that may indicate a problem with the back tires.
An imbalance can lead to uneven wear on your tires, decreasing their lifespan. This issue can also make your car more difficult to drive. Your automotive technician will balance your tires using a special machine that measures weight distribution and then placing wheel weights according to the results.
You should have your automotive service provider check your tires’ balance as a part of your regular maintenance schedule. You should also have your tires balanced if you haven’t driven your car for a while or if you’ve recently had a flat. Be attentive, too, if you’ve accidentally hit a curb or pothole because this can lead to lost wheel weights and imbalance. Imbalance, in turn, can lead to increased stress on your tires and drivetrain.
Wheel Alignment
Wheel alignment is quite different from tire balancing. It involves adjusting your car’s suspension system, which links your car to its wheels, and it ensures your car’s wheels are connecting with the pavement at the right angles. If you notice that your car starts pulling to the right or left or that your steering wheel is tilted in an odd way, these could be signs that your vehicle needs a wheel alignment. You might also experience a vibration in your steering wheel as you accelerate, hear your tires squeal, or see uneven wear on your tires.
Like tire balancing, wheel alignment should be a regular part of your car’s maintenance. You should talk to your automotive service technician about scheduling your car for an alignment, especially if you’ve noticed any of the signs mentioned above, if you’ve been in an accident, even a minor one, or if you’ve hit a nasty pothole or bumped into a curb.
Regular wheel alignment will give your car a better ride and make it easier and smoother to drive. It can also extend the life of your tires and prevent them from wearing unevenly.
Schedule These Services
Tire balancing and wheel alignment are important services for any car. You should be aware of the signs that indicate a need for them and make an appointment as necessary. But you should also schedule these services as a regular part of your car’s maintenance. They’ll make your car drive better and give you confidence on the road.
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