With summer just getting started, you may be planning a fun family road trip. Before getting in your car to start on your way, take a short test drive. Does your vehicle have a wheel alignment issue? An improper alignment can cause uneven or premature tire wear, and even worse, jeopardize the safety of your passengers, especially loaded down with all your vacation gear. But maybe it's just the wheel balancing out of whack! Wheel alignment and wheel balancing are two totally different issues, but many people often get them confused.
What is a Wheel Alignment?
An alignment consists of adjusting the angles of the wheels so that they are perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other. The purpose of these adjustments is maximum tire life and to ensure your vehicle tracks true when driving along a straight and level road.
A wheel alignment is needed if there is...
- Uneven or rapid tire wear
- Pulling or drifting away from a straight line
- Wandering from side to side on a straight level road
- Spokes of the steering wheel are off to one side while driving straight
What is Wheel Balancing?
Balancing allows the tires and wheels to spin without causing any vibrations. This is accomplished by checking for any heavy spots on the wheel-tire combination and compensating for it by placing a measured lead weight on the opposite site of the wheel.
Wheel balancing is needed if there is...
- Vibration in the steering at certain highway speeds
- Vibration in the seat or floorboard at certain highway speeds
- Scalloped or cupped wear pattern on the tires
Following an alignment or balancing job, test drive your car on a straight, level road to make sure that it goes straight and that the steering wheel is in the proper position with the spokes level. If there is still a noticeable problem, any qualified alignment specialist will want to fine-tune the alignment settings or adjust the balance weights.
Does your vehicle need a wheel alignment or a wheel balancing? Ask our auto mechanics for their expert advice. Contact our ASE-certified technicians today at Express Care Auto by calling 507-625-8005, or go on-line at www.expresscareautomn.com for more information. Our automotive repair shop serves vehicle owners in Mankato, MN, and the neighboring communities of North Mankato, MN, New Ulm, MN, and St. Peter, MN.
With summer just getting started, you may be planning a fun family road trip. Before getting in your car to start on your way, take a short test drive. Does your vehicle have a wheel alignment issue? An improper alignment can cause uneven or premature tire wear, and even worse, jeopardize the safety of your passengers, especially loaded down with all your vacation gear. But maybe it's just the wheel balancing out of whack! Wheel alignment and wheel balancing are two totally different issues, but many people often get them confused.
What is a Wheel Alignment?
An alignment consists of adjusting the angles of the wheels so that they are perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other. The purpose of these adjustments is maximum tire life and to ensure your vehicle tracks true when driving along a straight and level road.
A wheel alignment is needed if there is...
- Uneven or rapid tire wear
- Pulling or drifting away from a straight line
- Wandering from side to side on a straight level road
- Spokes of the steering wheel are off to one side while driving straight
What is Wheel Balancing?
Balancing allows the tires and wheels to spin without causing any vibrations. This is accomplished by checking for any heavy spots on the wheel-tire combination and compensating for it by placing a measured lead weight on the opposite site of the wheel.
Wheel balancing is needed if there is...
- Vibration in the steering at certain highway speeds
- Vibration in the seat or floorboard at certain highway speeds
- Scalloped or cupped wear pattern on the tires
Following an alignment or balancing job, test drive your car on a straight, level road to make sure that it goes straight and that the steering wheel is in the proper position with the spokes level. If there is still a noticeable problem, any qualified alignment specialist will want to fine-tune the alignment settings or adjust the balance weights.
Does your vehicle need a wheel alignment or a wheel balancing? Ask our auto mechanics for their expert advice. Contact our ASE-certified technicians today at Express Care Auto by calling 507-625-8005, or go on-line at www.expresscareautomn.com for more information. Our automotive repair shop serves vehicle owners in Mankato, MN, and the neighboring communities of North Mankato, MN, New Ulm, MN, and St. Peter, MN.
