Wheel Balancing vs. Wheel Alignment

You should definitely take care of the wheels of your car with wheel alignments and wheel balancing when needed. Doing so can help you maintain the condition of your tires longer, as well as prevent further issues down the road. When it comes to wheel balancing vs. wheel alignment, what’s the difference? Ryan Family Dealerships’s service centers are here to discuss these two common wheel services, so you can understand if your vehicle is in need of wheel balancing vs. wheel alignment.

What Is Wheel Balancing?

You should get your wheels balanced every now and again because unbalanced wheels can make for an uncomfortable drive. When the wheels are unbalanced, the steering wheel and car itself may shake, causing a ride that discomforts you and your passengers. This happens because tire tread wear varies on unbalanced wheels, causing one part of the tire to be heavier than the other.

Balancing your wheels improves the smoothness of your ride and lowers the risk of losing traction on slippery roads. You’ll also enjoy a longer tire lifespan. Your wheels should be balanced once every 5,000 to 6,000 miles, along the same time as tire rotations.

What Is Wheel Alignment?

Wheel alignment, on the other hand, is something that doesn’t need to be done as often. Wheel alignment just refers to when a technician makes sure that your car’s wheels are parallel to each other. Doing so prevents uneven treads and unnecessary wear and tear on your tires. When your wheels aren’t aligned right, you can run into issues with steering that may put you at risk on the road. Your vehicle might also pull to the side, which could lead to drifting into other lanes of traffic.

Find Wheel Service for Mercedes-Benz at Ryan Family Dealerships

Have more questions about wheel alignment and wheel balancing, or another issue like an overheating car? Reach out to Ryan Family Dealerships today! We can help you decide whether you should use premium or regular gas and much more!  You’ll find all of our locations are staffed with helpful technicians and use only genuine parts in your vehicle’s services and repairs.