Zen For Your Tyres
19-September-2007
Life is all about keeping a good balance
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Wheel balance vs wheel alignment... the names may have you as confused as Miss Andy Sax trying to tell the difference between the two aqua belts in the Devil Wears Prada. Let us explain the difference...
Wheel balance
Put simply, a wheel balance evenly distributes the wheel's weight for a comfy and safer ride. It's got the same principle as the old bed of nails trick – you have to distribute your weight evenly for it to work (don't try this trick at home!). Yes, tyre manufacturers do their best to make sure each tyre type is the same but just like all size-10 tees, you can't guarantee an identical fit every time.
Get a wheel balance:
* Any time you get new tyres put on
* Every 5000km or so (experts also recommend you get your tyres rotated at the same time)
* If your steering wheel or whole car vibrates like a mini jackhammer
* If it's getting harder to steer and your car's bumpier than usual
* If your tyres have random bald spots.
How does it work?
Your mechanic uses a wheel balance machine to find any weight imbalances. They then attach appropriately sized lead weights to the tyres to balance the weight out.
Wheel alignment
This is like the car-equivalent of doing your back out and then going to a chiropractor to bend it back into proper shape. You might only need a front-wheel alignment, depending on what type of car you have and its condition.
Causes of misalignment
* Going too fast over bumps (quit speeding over speed humps!)
* Running over something or hitting something quite hard
* Hitting kerbs
* Driving over pot holes
* Suddenly slamming on the brakes
* Having too much weight on/in your car
* Normal wear and tear.
Get a wheel alignment:
* If it's getting harder to steer
* If you have the appropriate tread wear tell-tale signs listed in What Are Your Tyres Trying To Tell You?
* Every 10,000km (most experts recommend this).
More
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Learn more about tyres
www.bridgestone.com.au
What Are Your Tyres Trying To Tell You?
Zen For Your Tyres