Many drivers take precautions against flat tires by avoiding potholes and monitoring their tire pressure. However, wheel alignment and balancing are other important tasks that maintain your safety while driving. Below is everything you should know about wheel alignment and balancing, along with how frequently they should be done.

Why Your Car Needs Wheel Alignment & Balancing

What Is Wheel Alignment & Balancing?

These are two separate processes performed by an auto repair shop. Alignment involves adjusting the angle of your tires so that they’re pointing straight ahead. Over time, your wheels are knocked out of position as you drive over potholes, hit curbs, and travel over rough roads. 

Balancing involves moving the weights of your tires around the wheel. These weights shift as you drive, so a specialized machine spins the wheel and determines where they should be placed to ensure one part of the wheel doesn’t carry too much weight.

Why Are They Important?

Both tasks prolong the life of your tires. If you don’t get routine wheel alignment and balancing, fuel efficiency will decrease, since the engine must work harder to move the vehicle forward in a straight line. In addition, misaligned and unbalanced tires cause uneven tread wear because certain parts of the rubber hit the road more often or have to bear too much weight. Your suspension and steering systems may also suffer from a wheel misalignment because they have to work harder to keep the tires pointing ahead.

When Should I Get an Alignment or Have My Tires Balanced?

Check the owner’s manual to determine how often your car’s manufacturer suggests getting each. Typically, balancing is required more frequently than alignment. It’s recommended to get your tires balanced every 6,000 miles or six months. Your wheels should be checked for alignment on an annual basis. However, there are other circumstances that warrant wheel alignment and balancing. For example, when you install new tires or have tie rods, the suspension system, or the steering column worked on. 

If your vehicle needs wheel alignment and balancing, bring it to Muffler Brothers in Chillicothe, OH. They’ve been providing a range of high-quality, affordable, and honest auto repair services to drivers throughout Ross County and Southern Ohio for 38 years. In addition to wheel maintenance, they offer oil changes, brake service, and transmission repair. They have 18 locations, and they’re currently offering a free alignment with the purchase of four new tires. Give their reliable team a call at (740) 772-1890 to schedule an appointment or visit their website to learn more about this Jasper® preferred Goodyear® dealer.