Have you been noticing that your ride isn’t as smooth as it used to be? Does it feel like something is wrong with your wheels? If so, it might be time to schedule an appointment at Stop 23 Auto Sales Service Center in Listowel, ON. However, before you make that appointment, you need to figure out which wheel service you need to get done. Many people are confused about whether they need their wheels balanced or aligned. Today, we will be discussing the difference between wheel balancing and wheel alignment.
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When do you need to get your wheels balanced?
Wheel balancing focuses on the weight of the tire and wheel assembly so that it rotates evenly. You’ll often feel a vibration at higher speeds when your tires need to be balanced. When you bring your vehicle in to get the tires balanced, the technician will use a special machine to see in which spots the wheel is heavier than others. They will then place small weights onto the areas that are lighter in weight to balance out the wheel. It is recommended to get new tires balancing during installation.
When do you need to get your wheels aligned?
Wheel alignment focuses on the direction and angle at which your wheels roll at. There are three different ways a wheel is aligned. Toe alignment is in reference to the angle of your tire in relation to each other. If you notice your car pulling to one side or your vehicle doesn’t drive in a straight line, this is a sign that one tire has a toe misalignment. Camber refers to the angle of a wheel when you view if from the front of your vehicle. If you notice your wheel leaning to one side, then you have a camber misalignment issue. Finally, caster refers to the angle of the steering pivot when looking from the side of the vehicle. If you notice that a wheel is too far forward or back in the wheel well, this is a caster misalignment issue.
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Schedule your service appointment at Stop 23
Once you’ve figured out whether you need to get your tires balanced or aligned, be sure to schedule an appointment at Stop 23 Auto Sales. If you want to learn more about what regular maintenance you should perform on your vehicle, keep reading our blog.