Wheel Balancing vs. Wheel Alignment

Even though they sound similar, wheel alignment and balancing are two different services to keep your tires healthy in Clayton. But many drivers either mistake one for the other or don’t understand the difference between wheel aligning and balancing. They both provide benefits to keeping your tires performing well on Ladue roads, but are separate services. Learn the difference between wheel balancing vs. wheel alignment with the service experts at Mercedes-Benz of St. Louis.

What is Wheel Balancing?

When your wheels are out of balance, your steering wheel might shake or vibrate. Sometimes, unbalanced wheels create only the shaking, or worse, they could cause premature tire wear. If your wheel is slightly bent or has an uneven weight distribution, your car might need a wheel balancing. Using precision machinery, our service technicians analyze how your tires are balanced, adding small weights to balance the weight evenly. Having your wheels balanced lengthens the life of your tires, smoothes steering wheel vibrations, and improves traction and handling on Frontenac roads. Scheduling a service appointment to have your wheels balanced saves you money in the long run.

What is Wheel Alignment?

The main difference between wheel alignment and balancing is that wheel alignment actually deals with your vehicle’s suspension. Wheel alignment is done by adjusting components to make sure the wheels are set to the correct position on their axis. If you’ve hit a pothole or curb, got into a fender bender, or have been noticing any handling issues, having your car’s alignment should be checked, and if need be, adjusted. Warning signs that your car needs to be aligned are:

1. Pulls to one side or another
2. Uneven tire wear
3. Off-center steering wheel
4. Had new tires installed (This to protect your new tires from uneven wear, lengthening their lifespan)

Driving your vehicle while it’s out of alignment can damage both your tires and suspension, reducing your car’s overall performance.

Scheduling Wheel Balancing vs. Wheel Alignment

Is your vehicle pulling to one side? That’s typically a sign you need to schedule a wheel alignment visit. But if your steering wheel is vibrating, it’s time to visit our service center for a wheel balancing appointment. Not sure which your vehicle needs? Contact the service team at Mercedes-Benz of St. Louis with any questions about wheel balancing vs. wheel alignment or for any other car maintenance questions! Also, be sure to check out our service specials!

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