Why it is important to ensure your wheels are balanced
Cars are one of the most popular modes of transport across the entire UK. They provide quick and easy access to every part of any city, so it comes as no surprise that there are 32.5 million cars on the British roads.
These vehicles, however, are complex to understand. There are so many components and things to consider before you even set off. If things aren’t right with your car then it may lead to difficult times down the line. This could be breaking down on the motorway or worse, causing a crash.
There is a lot that can go wrong with cars with some of the more common issues being a dead battery, brake failure and unbalanced wheels. The latter is an issue that without experience or extensive knowledge of car functionality, could be missed. This could be a huge problem should it arise.
Read on to find out exactly why you must ensure your wheels are balanced.
Why balanced wheels are important
Your wheels are the backbone of the car. They ensure you’re continuously moving and use them to steer in a safe direction when driving. Here are some of the main dangers if you don’t have well-balanced wheels:
- Unbalanced wheels cause tyres to wear which reduces their life span.
- Your suspension will come under strain.
- The rotational parts in your car may wear quicker.
- Your safety is compromised.
However, well-balanced wheels will offer
- A more comfortable ride.
- Better grip on the roads.
- Better fuel efficiency.
- They will wear as they’re supposed to giving them a good lifespan.
How to know if there’s an issue
There are many telling characteristics of poor wheel balancing which should be taken seriously. They include:
- A vibrating steering wheel that gets worse at higher speeds.
- Uneven tyre wear.
- Tyres appear higher on one side.
- Issues with your shock absorbers and wheel bearings.
- Increased fuel consumption.
If you’re uncertain of your wheel alignment, you can use tachometers like these here. They are commonly used within the automotive industry to check the speed and rotation of the wheels. This will highlight any issues with your wheel balancing and performance.
In the year ending June 2021, there were 119,850 vehicular crashes in the UK. These can lead to life-changing injuries and in some cases, death. Don’t let yourself be involved in a crash this year due to your wheels being unbalanced. If there’s an issue, get it sorted.
