What Happens If You Don’t Balance Your Tires?

Like most car owners, you probably don’t think about balancing your tires until it’s time for a tire rotation or a new set of tires altogether. However, if you don’t balance your tires regularly, you could be putting your safety and the safety of others at risk.

 

When it comes to balancing your tires, many people will take the word of tire stores that their tires are balanced. That might be okay if your car is brand new with perfect alignment, but chances are you have replaced or repaired some parts on your vehicle since you first bought it. Bad news – those old tires you just had balanced probably aren’t balanced anymore.

 

Read more: What Is A Tire Swap?

 

What Is Tire Balancing?

 

Tire balancing is a procedure for getting your car or truck’s tires all “working together.” When one end of the tire is heavier than another, this creates unbalance. The imbalance will cause vibrations in your car when driving at speeds above 50 mph. Car manufacturers recommend tire balancing to extend the life of your tires. Balancing will also give better gas mileage and a smoother ride for you and your passengers.

 

When your tire treads wear down, that causes an unbalance in the weight of your tire. Every time your rim spins around, that unbalanced weight tends to make the wheel wobble back and forth. This type of movement can be very hard on your car’s suspensions, and it will also increase the amount of fuel you use while driving.

 

Some possible reasons for unbalance include:

 

 

 

• Underinflation with a heavy spot on either side of the valve stem.
• Overloading your vehicle or an under-inflated tire.
• Ponding water in the tread area is caused by driving through deep standing water or an overloaded vehicle.
• Poor wheel balance has compromised the integrity of your tires.

 

Read more: How To Protect Your Rims

 

What Happens If You Drive With Unbalanced Tires?

 

 

Driving on a car with unbalanced tires is dangerous and can lead to serious problems if you do not heed the following warning signs. It is essential to maintain proper tire balance for both safety and extended vehicle life. Here are the things that could happen when you don’t balance your tires regularly:

 

• Misaligned Tires Have Greater Impact On Vehicle Handling

 

If your tires are not properly inflated, they will generate more heat, and the rubber compound in the tire will disintegrate faster. As a result, your tires will lose their ability to grip the road and steer properly. In addition, if you don’t have balanced tires, your car will pull excessively to one side or another when you turn. You may also notice unusual tire wear on the back of the tire that is in contact with the ground when you drive straight down the road.

 

• Misaligned Tires Cause Uneven Wear On Your Vehicle’s Tread

 

If you are experiencing the effects of unbalanced tires, it is important to have them fixed as soon as possible. Unbalanced tires can cause serious damage to your vehicle over time if they are not taken care of quickly. In addition, uneven tire wear will cause your vehicle to vibrate and become increasingly difficult to control at highway speeds. This is both an annoyance for you, the driver, plus a safety issue because it compromises the handling of your vehicle.

 

Suppose you experience any unusual tire wear or hear an unusual rattling noise while driving, get your tires checked by a professional mechanic. A tire technician will be able to measure the tread depth and overall wear of each tire. They will also check for abnormal wear patterns in the grooves and contours of your tires and give you a complete diagnosis of your vehicle’s handling.

 

• Unbalanced Tires Are Dangerous To Drive

 

If your car starts pulling to one side or another every time you make a turn or lose grip in the road when you accelerate, then it’s time to get your tires balanced by a professional mechanic. The tread wear on your tire will also be checked during this process, and you will be given an accurate diagnosis on the condition of your vehicle. Driving on unbalanced tires is dangerous for both yourself and other drivers on the road. On the other hand, balanced tires make your car easy to control and can save lives in dangerous situations.

 

Read more: Can I Drive With A Flat Tire?

 

Balancing Your Tires At Regular Intervals Will Keep You Safe On The Road

 

Your tires should be balanced every 5,000-8,000 miles due to normal wear and tear on your tire tread. However, if you notice unusual tire wear or hear a rhythmic clunking noise when you drive over bumps, it is time to have your tires balanced professionally.

 

Tire balancing is not your typical DIY job, especially when you lack proper knowledge, experience, and tools. Since it involves complex mechanisms, it is better to leave the job to the professionals. Fortunately, Tire Butler is just a call away if you need a professional tire service in Toronto.

 

With safe and proficient mobile tire service, we’ve made tire balancing easy for thousands of car owners and families across the GTA. Contact us today!