Wheel Balancing vs. Wheel Alignment

November 10th, 2021 by Andrew DeBoer

Mercedes-Benz London’s

Service Tips & Tricks

To elongate your tire’s lifespan, protect yourself from blow outs and optimize your fuel economy, getting a wheel alignment and balance from time to time is very important. These services are a key part of your annual maintenance. We’ve explained in simple terms the difference in each, and why they are important.

What is Wheel Balancing Service?

Have you ever wondered about the difference between wheel balancing and wheel alignment? Don’t worry Mercedes-Benz London has the answers for you, so read on for an in-depth breakdown, starting with balancing. Over time, your wheels will fall out of balance, which can cause your steering wheel to shake or vibrate. Unbalanced wheels will cause your tires to wear unevenly, which decreases tire lifespan, fuel economy, acceleration, and increases your chances for a blowout. You should have your wheels balanced every 5,000 to 10,000 kilometres or every 6 months.

What is Wheel Alignment Service?

You can determine the differences between wheel alignment and balancing by taking a look at our wheel alignment service. This service is less routine and should be done as needed. Having your wheels aligned is just another term getting a warped front suspension realigned. This job is called a front-end alignment and will ensure that your wheels are perfectly parallel to one another and at an even height. If you’ve recently hit a pothole or a curb, and you feel like your car keeps drifting out of its lane, it’s possible that you bent your front suspension. Just as with unbalanced wheels, this issue can cause uneven tread wear and all the same problems that unbalanced wheels can.