We often take our vehicle for regular servicing, repairs and maintenance and forget a very crucial component, the tyres. Tyres work with the engine and air suspension system to provide a quiet and smooth ride while maintaining complete safety at high speeds. Tyres are vulnerable to several harmful situations like poor roads, bad driving, faulty suspension system etc. But, the most crucial component that has a direct impact on the tyre's performance and longevity are wheels. If the wheels are damaged or bent, they will accelerate the tyre's wear down the process, and you will find yourself in need of replacement very soon.

Modern-day vehicles are equipped with artificial intelligence and smart sensors to assist you in the maintenance process and make the drive easier. However, this doesn't relieve you of your duties of regular self-assessment. The sensors and the AI do not engage over mild discrepancies; they will only alarm you once the damage is beyond a manageable point.

Therefore, take your vehicle to a garage at recommended intervals for routine tyre and wheel assessment. One such tyre maintenance process is wheel balancing which is crucial for the tyre's longevity. Here is an article on everything that you must know about wheel balancing.

What is wheel balancing?

The irregularities in the roads cause several minor damages, which add up over time and cause driving difficulties. One such damage is the shifting of the car frame's weight which causes load imbalance in the wheels. As a result, some wheels carry more weight than others which exerts extra pressure on the tyres.

Since wheels and air suspension systems are connected, the suspension experiences greater shock and jerk, leading to breakdowns and safety hazards. Therefore, wheel balancing Morecambe is done to map the weight carried by each wheel and then the load is balanced accordingly.

What is the right time for balancing?

Under normal circumstances, the perfect time for balancing is when your car has travelled over 10000 km. However, if you have a punctured or flat tyre, you must ask your mechanic to run the balance check for installing new tyres. Additionally, if you feel an extra vibration on the car floor or the steering, you must take your vehicle for a balance check because these minor vibrations can add up and cause greater problems in future.

How is a wheel balanced?

There are two standard methods of wheel balancing that the garages use. One is forced balancing, which is done through simulators. In this process, the vehicle is subjected to road-like conditions with all the irregularities, and a load monitor runs the balance check on the wheels. The machine uses the load runner to spin the wheel and map the weight balance. Once the imbalance is detected, lead weight is attached on the opposite end to balance the load.

The second method is the most popular one, where the wheels and the tyres are taken off and placed on a balance machine. The wheels are given a spin, and special software indicates a probable weight imbalance.

What are the benefits of wheel balancing?

One of the major advantages of wheel balancing is the improvement in the tyre's life. It also slows down the treadwear process. Well-maintained treads would mean quieter rides on damp roads and stable corner steering. Additionally, you will feel improved cabin comfort because of reduced noise and floorboard vibration.

Conclusion

Wheel balancing is a routine maintenance process, and most of the garages include it in their car service package. However, you must go through your garage's brochure and if they do not have this service included, ask for it specifically. Also, pay close attention to minor noises and vibrations so that you can take your vehicle for a safe check-in time and prevent any major accidents.