Tyre Balancer: What is it and Why is it Important?

What is a tyre balancer, and why is it important for your optimum driving experience? Here, we take a look at tyre balancing, how it differs from wheel alignment, and how you can spot the signs that your tyres might be out of balance.

What does a tyre balancer do for tyres?

The aim of a tyre balancer is to make sure that weight is evenly distributed around the wheel so that the tyre can rotate evenly. If there is an imbalance towards one side of the wheel, small balancing weights are added to the opposite side so that the weight distribution is evened out.

As part of routine maintenance, you should get your wheels balanced every 3,000 to 6,000 miles or 5,000 to 10,000 kilometres, or every one to two years, whichever occurs sooner. Wheel balancing should also be done whenever a new tyre is fitted.

What do unbalanced tyres feel like?

Several telltale signs that might indicate that your wheels are out of balance include:

• Your steering wheel is vibrating, particularly at higher speeds.
• Your tyres are wearing unevenly.
• You are having problems with your wheel bearings and shock absorbers.
• Your car is using up more fuel than usual.

If you notice any of these, it is worth getting your wheel balancing checked.

Is tyre balancing the same as alignment?

No, alignment and balancing are two different things, but they are both critical to your optimum driving experience.

So, as we have said, balancing is about ensuring the weight is evenly distributed. Wheel alignment involves checking the angle and direction of your wheels to make sure they are parallel to each other. If not, the tie rods and control arms can be adjusted to correct the wheel alignment.

An easy way you can remember the difference is to think of the word “alignment” as containing the sound “line” so that wheel alignment helps you drive in a straight line. Whereas balancing is about even weight distribution.

Does tyre balancing affect wheel alignment?

Tyre balancing does not necessarily affect wheel alignment. However, the symptoms can be very similar. For example, if your tyres are wearing unevenly, your steering wheel is vibrating when driving at high speeds, and you are using up more fuel than usual, it could indicate either a tyre balancing or wheel alignment problem.

How does a tyre get out of balance?

If there are imperfections in the rubber, or if the tyre rim has become damaged, this can affect the wheel’s balance. Also, as the tread becomes worn, this can alter the weight distribution around the tyre. This is another great reason to ensure you get new tyres once your old ones have become worn down.

Summary

So, to summarise, we have learned that:

• The balance of your tyres can affect your driving experience.
• It is important to get your tyre balancing checked regularly.
• Balancing and alignment are different aspects of wheel optimisation but are both important.

We hope you found this article on tyre balancing informative. Hopefully, you now know what a tyre balancer is and how it can improve your driving experience. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the SUPALIGN team today.