The Importance of Wheel Balancing

Maintaining your vehicle's wheels in perfect balance is crucial for a smooth and safe driving experience. Wheel balancing ensures that the weight of the tire and wheel assembly is evenly distributed around the axle, eliminating vibrations and promoting a smoother ride. In this month's blog post, we look at what causes wheels to be off balance, the signs to look for, and what's involved with a wheel balancing on your vehicle.

What are the Causes and Symptoms of Wheel Imbalance?

Several factors can cause your wheels to go out of balance:

• Manufacturing Variances: Even brand-new tires can have slight weight imbalances due to manufacturing differences.
  
• Normal Wear and Tear: Over time, the tread on your tires wears down unevenly, leading to imbalances.
  
• Road Hazards: Hitting potholes, curbs, or debris can knock your wheels out of balance.
  
• Improper Installation: If tires are not mounted correctly, it can lead to imbalances.
  
• Loss of Wheel Weights: The small weights used to balance wheels can sometimes fall off, causing an imbalance.

Recognizing the symptoms of unbalanced wheels can help you address the issue before it leads to more significant problems:

• Vibrations: One of the most common signs is vibrations in the steering wheel, floorboard, or seat, especially at higher speeds.
  
• Uneven Tire Wear: If you notice that your tires are wearing unevenly or more quickly than usual, it could be due to an imbalance.
  
• Decreased Fuel Efficiency: When your wheels work harder to compensate for speed, this could contribute to lowering your overall fuel economy.
  
• Wobbling: A noticeable wobble or shimmy in the vehicle, particularly at certain speeds, indicates an imbalance. You may also notice that your vehicle is pulling to one side and affecting your steering ability during braking or cornering.
  
• Unusual Noises: Hearing a humming or droning noise while driving can also be a sign of unbalanced wheels.
  

How is a Wheel Balancing Performed on the Vehicle?

Wheel balancing is a precise process that involves several steps to ensure your wheels spin smoothly:

1. Initial Inspection: The technician will first inspect the tires and wheels for any visible damage or wear.
   
2. Mounting on a Balancer: The wheel and tire assembly is mounted on a balancing machine. This machine spins the wheel to determine the location of the imbalances.
   
3. Adding Weights: Based on the machine's readings, small weights are added to the wheel to counteract the imbalances. These weights are typically attached to the rim of the wheel.
   
4. Rechecking: After adding the weights, the wheel is spun again to ensure it is balanced correctly. Adjustments are made as necessary until the wheel is perfectly balanced.
   

Wheel balancing is a critical aspect of vehicle maintenance that ensures a smooth, safe, and efficient ride. If you are looking to save on tire wear, and improve your vehicle's fuel efficiency, you may want to consider having your wheels checked for imbalances.  Contact the service professionals at Bell Road Automotive to schedule an appointment.