There's no drive better than one that is free of any trouble or unexpected damage. The moment your vehicle starts displaying symptoms, butterflies start swimming in your stomach. What's wrong with your car and how much will it cost? Sometimes the problem has nothing to do with your engine but your tires. Your vehicle's tires are the only part of your car that makes constant contact with the road. This constant road exposure causes natural tire wear and tear over time. However, if your tires are not balanced, your tires can wear quicker, and you may engine up with more severe damage. Below are three signs it's time for a wheel balance.
Uneven Tire Wear
Regularly inspecting your tires can tell you a lot about the health of your vehicle. Look at the tire tread. If the tread is wearing unevenly, your wheels may need to be balanced. Unbalanced tires will wear along the tire's edges and may cause a shaky sensation when you drive.
Vibration
When the wheels are unbalanced, you'll start to notice vibrating in your steering wheel. The vibration can travel throughout your entire car. An unbalance will make the vibration noticeable when you step on the gas at high speeds.
Poor Fuel Economy
There are many reasons your vehicle can start to become less fuel-efficient. Poor driving habits, such as delayed braking and sudden acceleration, can be contributing factors. However, if you notice the above signs in addition to a decrease in gas mileage, it's time for a wheel balance. Unbalanced tires will spin and rotate unevenly. This erratic movement will require the tires to use more power to move your vehicle.
You can monitor and maintain your tire pressure, but balancing your tires have to be done by a trained professional. Our ASE Certified technicians at Central Park Garage have a quality mounting machine that will thoroughly inspect the tires and wheel assemblies. A wheel balance service is also an excellent opportunity to have your tires rotated as well. During this service, an expert changes the positions of the tires so that they wear evenly. Balancing and alignments can be completed during the same service. If you suspect it's time for a wheel alignment, click here to schedule an appointment.
Or give us a call at 603-617-2318 Mon-Fri from 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM.