Wheel Balancing vs. Wheel Alignment

Wear and tear on tires is gradual, which can make it difficult to notice just how shaky your vehicle has become. The good news is, the experts here at Underriner Honda of Walla Walla can keep your tires in perfect health for a smoother Walla Walla commute. Learn more about wheel alignment and balancing below!

Wheel Alignment and Balancing: Not the Same

Many Tri-Cities drivers have misconceptions about wheel alignment and balancing, and overlook these services as a result. Compare wheel balancing vs. wheel alignment below:

Wheel Balancing:

If you are noticing an excessive amount of vibration in your vehicle, your tires may need to be balanced. Natural wear and tear can lead to unbalanced tires but even brand new tires may not be perfectly balanced. Our tire center can balance your wheels to make your next road trip smoother than ever!

Tire Alignment:

Poorly aligned tires can be detected if you feel your vehicle ‘pulling’ to one side of the road. When your tires are improperly aligned, they can’t make consistent contact with the road. This can cause uneven wear and a shorter lifespan for your tires. If you are noticing these symptoms, schedule service with us as soon as possible.

How to Fix Unbalanced and Unaligned Tires

When you visit our service center, we will be able to diagnose the issue and restore your tires for a more comfortable ride. In order to balance your tires, our technicians will use a spinning machine to rotate your tires and detect the vibrations. Next, they will attach a series of weights to the inside of your wheel until the weight is evenly distributed. 

To ensure your tires roll perpendicular to the road, our team will measure the camber, toe, and caster of each tire. With these details, we can adjust the inside, outside, front, and back tilt of your tires, to ensure they meet the road evenly. This will help to retain tire pressure and improve your fuel economy!

Visit Us in College Place for Tire Service 

Generally, it is recommended that your tires should be balanced and aligned every 7,000 miles. Contact us today to learn more about the differences between wheel balancing vs. wheel alignment and find out why this service is so crucial. You can even learn about what TPMS means or how to remove stickers from your car. With healthy tires, your next Dayton adventure will be smoother than ever before!