How to tell if your tires are balanced?

Keeping your tires properly inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended air pressure is essential, particularly for safe, fuel-efficient driving. However, well-balanced wheels are important too, as the mechanics at OCTO Auto Service Plus remind you in this article. Here’s some key information, plus some signs to look for to ensure your wheels are well-balanced.

What’s wheel balancing?

Wheel balancing is an important component of vehicle maintenance. It involves attaching one or more small lead weights to the wheel rim to find the best possible balance for the wheel assembly. Balancing may seem like a simple process, but it requires the use of a complicated electronic device. In short, it demands the expertise of a mechanic with all the necessary equipment.

What are the signs of poor wheel balance?

When you’re driving, your wheels are subject to a lot of centrifugal force. Therefore, it’s crucial that their weight be well balanced on the axle. Do you feel a slight vibration in your seat or steering wheel when you’re driving at a consistent speed? This may be a sign that your wheels are imbalanced.

Don’t delay! Make an appointment at your nearest OCTO Auto Service Plus today. Poor wheel balance can do more than just leave you with uneven tires, it can damage your suspension or steering system. Fortunately, this problem can easily be spotted with a simple visual inspection.

Alignment vs. balancing: what’s the difference?

Some people confuse wheel alignment with wheel balancing. However, they’re two completely different concepts. Wheel alignment consists of adjusting the angles of the four wheels so that they’re perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other. You can tell if your tires are out of alignment if you have trouble manoeuvring your vehicle. For example, if your car pulls to one side or fails to move in a straight line when you let go of the steering wheel.

How often should you get your tires balanced?

According to experts, you should get your tires balanced regularly, about every 15,000 kilometres, and every time you get a tire repaired or replaced. It’s equally important to check your tire balance whenever you experience a strong impact, such as scraping a curb or hitting a deep pothole.

OCTO: state-of-the-art wheel balancing

Have you noticed signs that your tires may be poorly balanced? Trust our specialists to give you the facts. Your OCTO Auto Service Plus family mechanic can conduct an inspection and make the necessary adjustments so you can get back to driving in complete safety and comfort. Contact us today to request an appointment and give yourself peace of mind.