The Importance of Wheel Alignment and Balancing

Maintaining proper wheel alignment and balancing is critical to vehicle performance, safety, and longevity. While these services may seem routine, they have a profound impact on how your car handles, the lifespan of your tyres, and your overall driving experience. Both wheel alignment and balancing are essential to maintaining even tyre wear, ensuring that your car runs smoothly and safely on the road.

Below, Pearson Automotive breaks down the importance of wheel alignment and balancing. 

What Is Wheel Alignment?

Wheel alignment refers to adjusting the angles of the wheels so they meet the manufacturer’s specifications. The angles involved in alignment include camber (the inward or outward angle of the tyre when viewed from the front), toe (the direction the tyres point relative to each other), and caster (the angle of the steering axis). A proper alignment ensures that all wheels point in the right direction and work in harmony.

Signs of Poor Alignment

Several signs indicate your car may need an alignment:

• Uneven or rapid tyre wear: If you notice the tread wearing down more on one side than the other, it may be due to poor alignment.

• Vehicle pulling to one side: A car that drifts to the left or right on a straight, flat road likely has alignment issues.

• Steering wheel vibration or crookedness: Misalignment can cause the steering wheel to shake or not remain straight even when the vehicle is.

What Is Wheel Balancing?

Wheel balancing focuses on the distribution of weight around the tyre and wheel assembly. A tyre and wheel are never perfectly balanced in weight due to variations in the tyre’s thickness, uneven wear, or imperfections in the manufacturing process. A small imbalance can cause the wheel to wobble, leading to vibrations and potential safety issues. A technician attaches small weights to the wheel’s rim to correct the imbalance, ensuring a smooth ride.

Signs of Unbalanced Wheels

Here are some symptoms that indicate your wheels may need balancing:

• Vibrations in the steering wheel, floor, or seats: These vibrations typically occur at certain speeds, indicating an imbalance.

• Uneven tyre wear: Just like poor alignment, unbalanced wheels can cause tyres to wear unevenly.

• Increased fuel consumption: Unbalanced tyres create additional drag, making your vehicle work harder and burn more fuel.

Benefits of Proper Wheel Alignment and Balancing

1. Improved Tyre Life

Misaligned or unbalanced tyres wear out faster, leading to costly replacements. Proper alignment and balancing help ensure even tyre wear, extending their life and saving you money in the long run.

2. Enhanced Safety

Improper alignment or unbalanced tyres can make your vehicle harder to control, especially at high speeds. Aligning and balancing your wheels ensures optimal handling, stability, and braking, keeping you and your passengers safe on the road.

3. Better Fuel Efficiency

Both alignment and balancing can help reduce the rolling resistance between the tyres and the road, improving fuel efficiency. Proper alignment reduces friction, while balanced tyres ensure the vehicle rolls smoothly, requiring less energy.

4. Improved Driving Comfort

Unbalanced tyres often cause uncomfortable vibrations that make driving tiring and unpleasant. Properly balanced wheels provide a smoother ride, reducing wear and tear on suspension components and improving overall comfort.

When Should You Get Alignment and Balancing?

It’s generally recommended to have your wheel alignment and balancing checked every 10,000 kilometres or if you notice any of the signs mentioned earlier. However, certain conditions such as hitting a curb or pothole, or installing new tyres, may require immediate attention.

Investing in regular wheel alignment and balancing is not only about ensuring a smooth and comfortable ride, but also about protecting your tyres, vehicle, and safety. By keeping your wheels properly aligned and balanced, you can reduce costly repairs, improve fuel efficiency, and drive with greater confidence.

At Pearson Automotive, we offer a complete range of car servicing options, designed to suit all vehicle types - including wheel alignment. Our skilled technicians will carefully assess your car’s alignment angles and make the necessary adjustments to improve handling and tyre wear.

Whether you’ve noticed uneven tyre wear, pulling to one side, or just want to maintain your car’s performance, Pearson Automotive are here to help keep your wheels in perfect condition for safer and more efficient driving. Safety and reliability is enhanced when you have your car serviced regularly.

To help keep your car in its best possible condition, chat to our Milton mechanics today.