Why is Wheel Balancing Important for Tyre Safety?
by Brian, under Cars, Safety & Advice.
Wheel balancing is very important whenever the tyres are mounted on wheels to ensure tyre safety. Wheel balancing provides a smoother driving by minimizing tyre bounce and vibrations. This helps in improving traction, the steering control and prolongs the life of the tyres. The tyres loose balance eventually as the treads wears down, and thus, the distribution of the weight on the tyres change. This alters the balance of the tyre and wheel assembly. Thus it is imperative a user always checks his or her car for wheel balancing. Wheel balancing may also be required, if one of the tyres has been dismounted for repair.
When Wheels are out of Balance
A user should check for wheel balancing when he or she is facing the following problems:
- Vibrations are experienced in the steering wheel at higher speeds.
- Vibrations are experienced in the floorboard or seat at higher speeds.
- Cupped or scalloped wear pattern on the tyres
Wheel Balancing Problems
An out-of-balance wheel and tyre will create vibrations or wobbles that progressively become worse as the speed of the vehicle increases. The speed at which the vibrations firstly become apparent vary with the size and weight of the tyres and wheels, the weight and size of the vehicle, the sensitivity of the suspension and steering, and the extent of wheel imbalance. The vibrations usually start at 40-50 mph and, they increase in intensity, as the speed of the vehicle increases.
Wheel Balancing and Tyre Safety
The purpose of wheel balancing ensures a longer tyre life. When the wheels become out of the balance, the tyres vibrate while spinning because of this the tyres wear out at faster rate. Also, driving with unbalanced wheels can be dangerous; therefore, to ensure tyre and self-safety, a user should guarantee the wheels are balanced.
How to get the Wheels Balanced
A tyre becomes out-of-balance, when a section of the tyre becomes heavier than the others, even a slight change in the tyre weight causes noticeable vibrations in the steering wheel. To balance the wheel, a technician mounts the wheel on the balancing machine. This machine spins the wheel and thus, locates the heavier portion. The weight is then compensated by attaching a dead-weight on the opposite side of the wheel. The user will be surprised by the smoothness of the car after the wheels have been balanced.
Most of the high-quality tires hold their balance fairly well, and thus, the balance fades off very gradually. If the user notices a vibration, which was not experienced a day before, it is likely, that one of the balancing weights fell off. If the vibrations are felt mostly in the steering wheel, the balancing problem is most likely in one of the front wheel. If the vibrations are mostly in the seats, the problem is most likely in one of the rear wheels.
Thus, from the above provided information, it becomes apparent, that the user has to the proper wheel balancing to ensure self and tyre safety.