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Your vehicle needs proper maintenance to perform efficiently.
If you have a car, you must have taken it to the service center sometime. Every part of the car needs to be repaired, including the engine, transmission, brakes, tires, wheels, battery, suspension, exhaust system, radiator, air conditioning, fuel system, lights, and windshield wipers.
Just like any other part, your wheel also needs some mechanical care, which includes alignment and balancing. To learn more about this process, join us on this blog until the end.
Difference Between Wheel Alignment and Wheel Balancing
Here is the difference between wheel alignment and balancing in India:
| Basis | Wheel Alignment | Wheel Balancing |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A process that adjusts the angle of the wheels so they are straight and level. | This process makes sure that the weight of the tyre and wheel is evenly distributed. |
| Purpose | To keep the car moving straight and prevent uneven tyre wear. | To stop vibration or wobbling when driving. |
| When Needed | If the car pulls to one side or the tyres wear out unevenly. | If you feel vibration in the steering wheel, seat, or floor at certain speeds. |
| Main Benefit | Better control, safety, and longer tyre life. | Smooth and comfortable ride. |
| Check Frequency | Every 6 months or when tyres are replaced. | Every 6,000–8,000 km or when new tyres are installed. |
What is Wheel Alignment?
Wheel Alignment is a process of adjusting the car vehicles’ angle as per the specifications of the car brand. This maintenance process ensures that the wheel remains in complete contact with the road for better grip and ride.
Wheel alignment ensures that the tyres are parallel to each other and positioned at a perfect 90-degree angle to the ground. It ensures safety, easy handling, better control, and uniform tearing of the tyres.
Types of Wheel Alignment
There are three primary types of wheel alignment:
1 Toe Alignment
This checks the angle of the tyres when you look from above. If the front edges of the tyres turn towards each other, it is called toe-in. If they turn away from each other, it is called toe-out. The aim is to keep the tyres straight and parallel.
2 Camber Alignment
This is the tyre's tilt from the front. If the top of the tyre bends outward, it is positive camber. If it bends inward, it is negative camber. A small negative camber is best for even tyre wear.
3 Caster Alignment
This checks the steering axis tilts when seen from the side. It controls balance and steering. A correct caster keeps the car straight and makes steering easier. If it tilts towards the driver, it is a positive caster. If it tilts to the front, it is a negative caster.
What is the importance of Caster Alignment?
There are some of the main benefits of caster alignment for the car and the driver:
- Better Handling: A correct caster helps your car drive straight without pulling to one side.
- Improved Stability: It keeps the car steady, especially when driving at higher speeds.
- Smooth Steering: Proper caster makes steering easier and comfortable.
- Enhanced Safety: It improves control in case of emergencies.
- Protected Suspension: A wrong caster can put extra stress on the suspension and steering parts, which may lead to costly repairs.
What Makes Your Car Tyre Disaligned?
There are many reasons why your car needs caster alignment. Some of the main reasons are:
- Bumpy Roads Rides
- Driving on Potholes at Speed
- Sharp Turns or Sudden Moves
- Small Collision and Bumps
- Worn Suspension Parts
- Curb Impact
When to Go for Tyre Alignment?
Tyre alignment is a considerable choice in any of the following cases:
- Every 6,000 miles or twice a year.
- If you notice your car drifting, alignment may be off.
- If one tyre looks more worn than the others, alignment is needed.
- After replacing suspension parts, new parts can change the wheel angle.
- Even a small crash can disturb alignment.
What is Wheel Balancing?
Wheel Balancing ensures that the weight of the wheel and other tyre components is evenly distributed on the vehicle's axle. It is an important process that removes vibrations while driving. It also improves comfort by fixing weight imbalances in the wheels.
If your tyres are not balanced, it can make driving uncomfortable and may even affect parts like the suspension. That’s why tyre balancing is important.
Types of Wheel Balancing
Here are some of the main types of wheel balancing that exist:
1 Dynamic Balancing
The mechanic checks which part of the tyre and wheel is the heaviest and adds small weights to even it out. This helps make the wheel spin evenly. It reduces shaking in the steering wheel when you drive at higher speeds.
2 Road Force Balancing
The mechanic matches the tyre’s lowest spot with the wheel’s highest spot to make the tyre roll more smoothly. This method fixes small hidden problems in tyres that normal balancing can not address. It improves comfort and makes your car drive more steadily.
What is the Importance of Wheel Balancing?
There are many benefits of the importance of wheel balancing. Some of them are as follows:
- Smooth Ride: Balanced wheels make your car ride smoothly without shaking.
- Protects Suspension: It stops extra stress on suspension parts, which makes the car drive safely.
- Longer Tyre Life: Tyres wear evenly, so they last longer.
- Better Fuel Efficiency: A smoother ride can save fuel.
- Safer Driving: Less vibration helps you stay in control, especially at high speeds.
- Less Steering Effort: Balanced wheels make it easier to steer the car.
- Reduces Noise: Helps cut down tyre noise while driving.
What Makes Your Car Tyre Imbalanced?
Here are some factors that can cause your car’s tyre and wheel imbalances:
- Uneven Tyre Wear
- Missing Wheel Weights
- Bent Rims
- Tyre Defects
- Improper Installation
When to Go for Tyre Balancing?
You should reach out to the car servicing center for tyre balancing:
- After every 6,000 miles.
- If you feel vibrations in the car.
- After installing new tyres.
- Due to a pothole hit or a curb collision.
- When tyres show uneven wear patterns.
- After a car accident.
The Difference Between Wheel Alignment and Balancing Prices
Wheel alignment and wheel balancing are both important for a smooth drive, but their prices differ. Wheel alignment adjusts the angles of your car’s wheels to prevent uneven tyre wear and ensure stability. It is more complex and usually costs Rs. 400 to Rs. 1,000 for a car.
Wheel balancing, on the other hand, evens out the tyre weight to avoid vibrations while driving. It is simpler and cheaper, costing around Rs. 150 to Rs. 400 per wheel.
Conclusion
After reading about the Difference between wheel alignment and balancing in India, it is very obvious to state that both have their own benefits. If your car tyre is not aligned or imbalanced, then it is always good to get it repaired urgently.
Alignment usually costs more because it is a more complex process, while balancing is simpler and cheaper. Doing both services on time helps prevent tyre wear, reduces vibrations, improves driving comfort, and keeps your car running safely for a longer time.
FAQs
Signs include uneven tyre wear, vibrations in the steering wheel or car floor, bending of the car to one side while driving, or unusual tyre noise.
Yes, after installing new tyres, it is recommended to get both alignment and balancing for a smooth and safe drive.
In India, wheel alignment usually costs Rs. 400 to Rs. 1,000. While wheel balancing is cheaper and the cost ranges from Rs. 150 to Rs. 400 per wheel. Alignment is a more complex process, which makes it costlier.
The main difference is in the process and cost. Alignment fixes wheel angles, whereas balancing fixes tyre weight. Both are available at most garages in India. And, alignment costs more than wheel balancing.
It is recommended to get wheel alignment and balancing every 6,000 to 10,000 km or sooner if you feel vibrations, steering problems, or uneven tyre wear.
Yes, it is often best to do both together. Alignment fixes wheel angles, and balancing fixes tyre weight. Doing both at the same time ensures a smoother drive, reduces tyre wear, and improves safety.
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