Your tires withstand a massive amount of wear and tear through the everyday operation of your vehicle, and this can take a toll on their alignment, their structural integrity, and most of all, the balancing of all four tires. Unbalanced tires can have a huge negative effect on the performance of your vehicle, and can place stress on the axles and suspension, which can cause other mechanical issues to occur. Understanding some of the most common warning signs associated with unbalanced tires can help you identify the problem early and have it addressed by a professional mechanic to prevent further issues from developing.
Vibrations
One of the earliest signs of a set of unbalanced tires is a constant and excessive amount of vibration coming through your vehicle, even while driving on smooth roads. This vibration can shake the entire car if the tires are extremely unbalanced, but will most often start by coming through the pedals, steering wheel, and then eventually the driver's seat. This isn't just something that you can ignore. Vibrations will get worse and worse over time and can reduce the amount of control that you have over your vehicle on the road.
Uneven and Excessive Wear
Unbalanced tires can cause different levels of wear on different parts of the tire because one section will be pressed into the road at a different angle or under a different amount of weight than the rest of the tire. This is what causes the vibration mentioned above. It also greatly increases the risk of a flat developing or a complete blowout while driving. Keep an eye on your tire treads and head to a mechanic as soon as you notice that there is a marked difference in the amount of wear that one section has experienced compared to the others.
Reduced Fuel Efficiency
Finally, another clear indication that you may have a balancing issue with your tires is if you find that your gas tank is draining extremely quickly compared to what you would regularly expect, especially if in conjunction with either or both of the above symptoms. This is because uneven tire wear, coupled with tires pulling in different directions, means that some of the energy generated by your engine is wasted when being transferred to the road. This will gradually get worse as your tires become increasingly unbalanced, so heading to a mechanic as soon as possible can be the smart financial decision by reducing the rate at which you have to fill up.
For more information, contact companies like Huntington Beach Transmissions.
Share19 June 2018
Hello. My name’s Samuel Jacobs. I retired from my job as an auto mechanic last year. During my years as a mechanic, I had the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life. Some have remained friends to this day. When I was working, there is one thing that I came across at least weekly. That is how uneducated people are when it comes to their vehicle’s tires. Properly cared for tires are crucial to the safety of your vehicle. Without them, your car isn’t going anywhere. If they give out on you while you are driving, there is the potential for serious injury. I’m going to share some tire safety information here. Things like the importance of correct inflation, how to check the tread, when to replace tires, tire rotation, and what to do in case of a blow-out. I hope you find this information to be helpful.