Wheel Balancing vs. Wheel Alignment

The wheels and tires of your vehicle are some of the most crucial parts. Keeping up with tire care is crucial to be sure your vehicle is operating safely in Raleigh. Two aspects of your routine tire services are wheel alignment and balancing. You may think they are the same service, but that’s not the case! Wheel alignment and balancing are actually two different services, and it’s important to understand the differences prior to scheduling an appointment at your local Cary service center.

What is Wheel Balancing?

Over time your wheels lose their balance so a wheel balancing should be performed when necessary. There are a few issues that may present themselves if your wheels are unbalanced, like the steering wheel may shake or vibrate, which will cause an unpleasant drive around Durham. Unbalanced wheels also affects your tires which can wear down unevenly because one part of the tire is heavier than the others.

Properly balanced wheels ensure a smooth ride, helps minimize tire bouncing, improves traction and control, and extends the life of your tires. It’s recommended that you have your wheels balanced when you get your tires rotated, and both should happen around every 5,000 to 6,0000 miles or around 6 months.

What is Wheel Alignment?

Wheel alignment, on the other hand, doesn’t need to be a part of your routine maintenance. When you get your wheels aligned in Durham, it is also commonly referred to as a front end alignment. The service technician will make sure that the tires are perpendicular to the road and parallel to each other.

If your wheels are out of alignment, this can result in excessive, uneven treads, wear and tear on your tires, and steering issues. It’s important to have your wheel alignment as soon as you realize the problem. You may also notice your vehicle pulling strongly to one side, which can lead to you drifting into the next lane as you’re driving around town in Apex.

Wheel Balancing vs. Wheel Alignment: Which is Needed?

With a better understanding of these two tire services, you should have a better idea of which one your car needs — it could be both! Is your vehicle pulling to one side? Schedule a wheel alignment. Have you noticed the steering wheel vibrating? Get your wheels balanced. Contact our service department to learn even more about these services, including the current prices.

Trust Hendrick Kia of Cary for Your Service Needs!

If you are interested in learning more about wheel alignment and balancing, want to know how much it costs, or interested in scheduling your service appointment, contact our team! You can easily schedule service online or drop by for a visit in Cary. Don’t forget to take a look at our service specials before stopping by!