Tire Balancing: How Does It Differ from An Alignment?

If you own a Subaru, you probably want to take it into the mechanic or dealership when issues arise., so you can get back on the road When using your Subaru to its fullest, taking it offroad and enjoying it to its best, you are going to possibly have issues with alignment and other issues with your tires. There's nothing wrong with that, and if you spend a few bucks getting your tires balanced or alignment, you can ensure that your Subaru is fun to drive and at its best.

When Do You Need Tire Balancing?

Without a doubt, Subaru owners who push their Subaru's to the limit will probably suffer issues with their tires in the long run, and It's perfectly natural. However, don't make the mistake of thinking your tires need balancing, as it could be something else. Some people have worn tires and just figure that the issue is balancing and/or alignment issues. If you have uneven tire wear and vibration in your steering wheel or seat, that's a signal that a tire balancing job is in order. If your steering wheel is vibrating, it's a sign that it's your front tires. On the other hand, when your seats are vibrating, it's a strong sign that it's the rear tires. 

What is Tire Balancing? 

Tire balancing, also known as wheel balancing, is done to fix uneven weight distribution on the wheels. If you don't have balanced wheels, they can cause vibration, and this is uncomfortable. Not only that, if you have unbalanced tires, you will have excessive tire wear and damage to your suspension, among other issues.  During the tire balancing service, a trained technician uses a tire balancing machine to mount your wheel and tire assembly. The machine will then determine the amount of imbalance by spinning the wheel and tire assembly. With that information, the trained mechanic can then determine the best course of action and can install the correct wheel weights, which will balance both the wheel and the tire.

What Causes Unbalanced Tires?

If you leave your car parked for a long time, you may cause issues with the tires.  Or, if your Subaru suffers, even small, impacts. This can be enough to cause issues to the tire. For example, if you run into the curb, you may do enough damage to warrant a tire balancing. The truth is, the moment this happens or you notice vibrating, you should take your Subaru into a certified mechanic or the dealership. A mechanic can double-check everything and make sure that it's not an alignment issue or other issue.

What Happens if You Ignore Unbalanced Tires? 

If you ignore your unbalanced tires, not only will they wear out much faster, but unbalanced tires can strain wheel bearings as well as the suspension system. Simply put, if ignored for a long time, the repair bills can add up quickly. Luckily, a quick inspection can help a mechanic determine the issue, then he or she can fix it quickly. 

When Do You Need an Alignment?

For all vehicles, it's very important that you get your wheels aligned periodically. It would be a good idea to get them aligned every oil change, and if you take your Subaru into the dealer or a certified mechanic, he or she can do it all at the same time. It's not expensive to have done, and it can save you money in the long run. Not only that, your Subaru will run better. If you drive in rough conditions or take your Subaru off the pavement a lot, you may want to get tire alignments more often. If you see that your vehicle pulls to one side, you should also consider getting an alignment, or at least taking your Subaru in for a quick inspection. 

What is a Tire Alignment? 

An alignment simply refers to an adjustment of the vehicle's suspension. This is the system that connects the wheels to the vehicle.  You must understand, it's not actually an adjustment to the tires or wheels. Instead, solid alignments adjust the angles of the tires and this affects how they make contact with the pavement.

What Causes Tire Alignment Issues?

If you are taking our Subaru off the road and onto rocky and muddy places, you may cause alignment issues.  Also, minor accidents, running into curbs or driving over potholes repeatedly are also other causes of alignment issues in your vehicle. With that being said, normal wear-and-tear is also another culprit, and the truth is, this is impossible to avoid over the long run. So, if suspension components such as shocks and struts become worn or loose, this can also affect alignment. 

What Happens if You Ignore Tire Alignment Issues? 

While it may just seem like a minor inconvenience, if you ignore alignment issues, you are going to cost yourself money in the future. poor alignment and also lead to serious suspension issues. This can cause issues to your shocks, struts and other components in your suspension system. 

While there are a lot of issues that can lead to unbalanced tires and alignment issues, they are very separate issues. if something feels off, instead of ignoring it, you should take your car into the dealership or a machine to have a once-over. they can then see what the issue is and get you and your Subaru back on the road as soon as possible. Remember, spending a couple hours and a little bit of money is a better investment in the long run as costlier repair bills may arise if you don't take your Subaru in when issues arise.

If you have a Subaru and need an alignment or tire balancing, take it into Granite Subaru. A well-trained and certified mechanic can have a look at your Subaru and determine what is wrong and what needs fixing. Luckily, neither issue is huge, and if you take care of it right away, it won't be too costly or time-consuming.