Wheel Balancing vs. Wheel Alignment

As the only touch point between your vehicle and the road, tires and wheels are critical parts of your automobile. Regular maintenance of your tires, wheels, and suspension is important to ensure your vehicle runs smoothly and safely on Stephenville roads. Two important services are wheel alignment and balancing. But what is the difference between wheel balancing vs. wheel alignment? Keep reading to learn more about wheel alignment and balancing so that you know what service to book at our Comanche service center. If you aren’t sure, you can always contact us for more information.

What is a Wheel Balancing Service?

When driving over rough roads around Brownwood and Abilene, your wheels and tires can become out of balance, which can cause the steering wheel to shake or vibrate creating an uncomfortable ride and even make it harder to control the car. It can also lead to unequal tread wear.

Periodically having your wheels balanced helps maintain a smooth and controlled ride while also maximizing the life of your tires. We recommend having your wheels balanced every 5,000 to 6,0000 miles or every 6 months when you have your tires rotated. Regularly rotating your tires also helps your tires to wear equally, which also maximizes tire life.

What is Wheel Alignment Service?

A wheel alignment is required whenever your suspension geometry gets out of alignment, which can happen from hitting a large pothole or slowly over time from driving over small potholes and other road irregularities. When your suspension is out of alignment, your car can pull in either direction when the steering wheel is straight. A wheel alignment service will ensure that your tires are perpendicular to the road and parallel to each other.

In addition to the car pulling to the side, a suspension system that is out of alignment causes uneven tire wear and vehicle control issues. If you notice any of these issues, you must have your vehicle’s wheel alignment checked and corrected. If you drive too long while needing a wheel alignment, you can cause suspension components to wear out prematurely, such as tie rods, ball joints, dampers (shocks or struts), or springs. Some vehicles only require a front-end alignment, while vehicles with an independent rear suspension may also require a rear-end alignment.

Wheel Balancing vs. Wheel Alignment: Which Do You Need?

Now that you know the difference between wheel alignment and wheel balancing, you will have a better idea of which service you will need to schedule for your vehicle. If your steering wheel vibrates around Granbury, you likely need wheel balancing. But if your car pulls to one side or the other, you likely need wheel alignment. Contact our service departmentto learn even more about these services.

Wheel Balancing & Wheel Alignment Cost

How much does a wheel balancing cost? A wheel alignment service varies by location but generally costs between $40-75.

How much does a wheel alignment service cost? A front-end alignment usually costs between $65-$100 (double that if you’re getting all four wheels aligned). Some premium brands may cost more.

Rely on Bayer Auto Group for Wheel Services!

Now that you know more about wheel balancing vs. wheel alignment, you can recognize when to bring your car in for service. Don’t let these symptoms continue before these services turn into a more costly repair. Contact us today to schedule your wheel alignment or balancing. Be sure to look at our service specials before stopping by!