If the wheels are not checked and balanced regularly, it will cause discomfort, potentially posing serious risks to your safety.
The Tayra, Equipment and Parts Association (TEPA) and the South African Automobile Retail Industry Association have warned that ignoring this issue could lead to significant replacement costs and unsafety when driving.
When the wheels are not balanced, they will increase the wear speed of the tires and damage other parts of the vehicle.
More importantly, unbalanced wheels reduce vehicle control, affecting braking and handling efficiency.
When there are many potholes in roads, the brakes can slow down and cause wheel imbalances, said Dylan Petzer, Vice President of TEPA South Africa.
Continuous braking and acceleration in urban areas also contribute to uneven tire wear, aggravating the imbalance.
Mr. Dylan Petzer emphasized that whether you are traveling on the highway or driving in the city, checking and balancing tires periodically is indispensable.
Balancing the wheels properly will help ensure a smooth, stable and safe trip.
How to recognize unbalanced wheels
- Riding in a steering wheel, car floor or seats, especially when driving at a speed of over 50 km/h.
- Irregular tire wear.
- Sauna.
- Unusual noises such as the whistle or strong beating.
Mr. Petzer explained that wheel balancing is the process of distributing weight evenly around the axles of the wheel cluster and the tires.
When the weight is out of balance or the rim is bent, the uneven distribution of weight will cause vibration, increase friction, generate heat and cause the tire to wear out quickly.
properly balanced wheels also help improve fuel efficiency. Reducing rolling resistance means the engine operates more gently, saving fuel.
Meanwhile, unbalanced wheels will create resistance, forcing the engine to consume more fuel.
frequency of wheel balancing
Mr. Petzer recommends balancing the wheel for every 8,000 to 12,000 km or from 6 to 8 months/time, depending on driving habits. Or after changing the tire.
You may also need to balance your wheels after major impacts such as hitting a potholed pot or the sidewalk, or when you experience symptoms of an imbalance.
wheel balancing is like preventive maintenance, helping to avoid expensive repairs later. A shuttleless steering wheel or a shock absorber is a sign that your wheels need to be balanced.
