Tire Balancing: Why It's Important And Signs Your Car Needs It

When your car is manufactured, its tires are precisely balanced to ensure the smoothest ride, safest handling, and best fuel economy. However, once you buy your car and drive it off the lot, every single bump and pothole gradually knocks your tires out of balance. Eventually, they could become imbalanced to the point that they're unsafe. Fortunately, you can have your tires professionally balanced at any tire shop, dealership service center, and most general auto repair shops.

Why Are Balanced Tires Important?

If your tires haven't been balanced in a year or so, there's a good chance they need it. But wait--why does it matter? Well, when your car's tires aren't in balance, your handling suffers, which could mean danger when you're behind the wheel. Furthermore, because unbalanced tires tend to wear more quickly and unevenly, driving around with unbalanced tires could mean putting yourself at increased risk of a dangerous tire blowout. Not to mention, unbalanced tires can cause premature wear and tear on your brake pads and rotors.

Now that you understand the importance of balanced tires, what signs should you be on the lookout for in your own vehicle?

Vibration Upon Acceleration

There are many reasons as to why you may feel a vibration in the front end of your car while you're driving, but if you're noticing that vibration in your steering wheel and at higher speeds, then there's a good chance that your tires need balancing. Often times, the vibration isn't noticeable at lower speeds (such as when driving on side streets) because your tires aren't rotating quickly enough to cause the vibration.

Uneven Wear and Tear on Tires

Another sign that your tires could be unbalanced is uneven wear and tear on the tires themselves. Take a look at your tires; unless they're brand new, you should notice a pattern of wear that's pretty consistent along the treads of the tires themselves. However, if you notice that the wear occurs in an inconsistent pattern or path, this means that your tires aren't hitting the road in the same spots--which also means your tires are probably out of balance.

If you think your tires are out of balance, you're probably right. Bring your car into a local tire shop and have them balanced; you'll probably see an immediate improvement in your car's handling and overall performance. While you're at it, consider having your tires rotated to even out the wear and tear as well.

To learn more, contact a company like Henry's Tire