Why You Need Your Tires Balanced
With the many different services vehicles need to remain in top condition, it’s only natural to wonder what these services do and why they are important. If you’re curious to know why you need your tires balanced, Elite Acura can help.
This helpful guide will answer many of your tire balancing questions, so you can cruise around Maple Shade, Moorestown, and Cherry Hill, NJ, in confidence.
What Does Tire Balance Mean?
Tire balancing is what it sounds like: The process of correcting the weight distribution of your vehicle’s tires. Your tires can get out of balance for a number of reasons, due to normal wear and tear while driving daily.
If you hit a curb or pothole or leave your car parked for an extended period of time, your tires may start to get out of balance as a result of changes in weight or flat spots.
Over time, the tires may get more and more out of balance, which can cause a few issues. Generally, you’ll notice a vibrating feeling when driving if your wheels are out of balance. This vibration can evolve and cause larger issues if it goes untreated for too long.
What Happens If Your Don’t Get Your Tires Balanced?
You’ll know it’s time to get your tires balanced if you notice vibrations in the steering wheel, seat, or floor while driving.
Pay attention to where the vibration seems focused, as this can indicate which tires are out of balance.
- Steering wheel vibrating: The front tires may be out of balance.
- Seats are vibrating: The rear wheels are likely the cause.
While you may be able to ignore the vibrations, it’s a good idea to get your vehicle checked out as soon as possible. Tires that are out of balance will wear down faster or can wear unevenly. This can result in reduced traction when driving, which may make it harder for you to slow down or make sudden stops.
How Do Technicians Balance Tires?
So, at this point, you may be wondering: What exactly happens when you get your tires balanced?
When you bring your car into a service center, the technician will start by checking your tires with a balance machine. This will spin the wheels and measure the vibrations to see how evenly the weight is distributed.
Once they know where the imbalances are, they will adjust as needed. This can include installing tire weights and moving the tires to different positions.
You won’t need to get this service done too frequently, but it’s important to get it taken care of before the tires are damaged. In general, you can aim to have your tires balanced after repairs and around every 4,000 to 6,000 miles.
Get Your Tires Balanced Today
If your tires need to be balanced, you can come visit the team here at Elite Acura. Our experts can answer any questions you may have about this service, tires, and other vehicle maintenance needs. Plus, they’ll be able to get you back on those Maple Shade, Moorestown, and Cherry Hill, New Jersey, roads with reliable tires.
Schedule your tire balance service today!
