Stay Balanced, Stay Safe: The Importance of Winter Wheel Balancing
Driving on snow, sleet and ice can be tricky, especially if your wheels are imbalanced. Winter wheel balancing is essential because it improves tire traction and helps you drive safely in hazardous driving conditions.
The Parts of A Wheel
The wheel structure of your vehicle includes the following:
- Rim
- Tire
- Hub
- Lug nuts
- Center bore
- Wheel weights
- Wheel cap
Each piece stabilizes the wheel structure, allowing your tires to rotate effectively while you’re driving. Wheel misalignment occurs when any of those components are damaged or shifted out of place.
What Causes Wheel Imbalance?
Poor driving habits may lead to wheel misalignment. That includes heavy braking, making sharp turns and traveling on rough surfaces. Wheel imbalances could result from hitting a pothole, running over a curb or getting into an accident.
Suspension components and steering linkages can loosen over time and negatively impact wheel alignment. Worn tires also contribute to misalignment as they alter the balance of the wheel structure during rotation.
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How Imbalanced Wheels Affect Winter Driving
Balanced wheels allow tires to rotate effectively and improve traction on the road, which is essential if you’re driving on snow and ice. They also prevent uneven deterioration and help extend the life of your tires.
Wheel imbalances can also increase the rate of tread wear, causing irregularities that make tires more susceptible to snow and ice buildup.
Poor rotation affects fuel efficiency, too, because they create more rolling resistance. Your engine will have to work harder and consume more fuel to move your vehicle.
Signs of Wheel Imbalance
- Vibrations in your seat or steering wheel
- Loose feeling to your steering wheel
- Rough driving or pulling to one side
- Uneven or excess tread wear
- Humming or thumping noises at certain speeds
- Shock and suspension issues
Wheel Balancing in Winter Maximizes Driving Safety
Getting your wheels balanced regularly ensures the weight of your vehicle is evenly distributed on your tires. It’s important to ask the right questions before getting a wheel balance and learn how the process works.
Technicians use computerized machinery to check wheel balance before adding counterweights to even out any issues.
Here’s what to expect during a wheel balance:
- A tire technician completes a visual inspection to determine if the wheel sits properly on the hub. They also check for lug nut movement and examine the rim, camber and toe for issues.
- After removing the wheel, the tech mounts it on a balancing machine and spins it at a high speed. Sensors detect vibrations and monitor weight distribution.
- The machine records areas of imbalance and identifies the amount of weight needed to balance the wheel.
- A technician adds counterweights based on the machine’s findings to correct uneven weight distribution.
- The machine spins the wheel again to verify the imbalance has been addressed before the tech remounts it to your vehicle.
Winter Wheel Balancing Service at Bauer Built
You should have your wheels balanced every 7,000 miles. Bauer Built offers computerized wheel balancing services that allow our expert technicians to deliver precision results. Find a Bauer Built location near you and request automotive service.
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