Tyre balancing necessary twice a year
European Commission studies show that approximately 20 percent.[2] of cars in Europe have tyres with visible defects caused by improper operation. 28 percent [3] of cars in Poland can be in a similar situation, which is the fourth worse record in the EU. Correct tyre balance is one of the key preventative measures, alongside an appropriate choice of tyres and their proper operation – monitoring of tyre pressure and tread depth, against tyre defects.
Due to the overload, which tyres are constantly vulnerable to – in a car driving at the speed of 130 km/h the number of revolutions per minute of a car tyre in a popular size is 1000 – correct tyre balancing is very significant. Unbalanced tyres have a negative impact not only on steering wheel vibration, but also on the wear rate of steering, suspension and tyres.
Tyre misalignment is accompanied by noise, which increases with speed and by the steering wheel and suspension vibration, often mistaken for steering malfunction. Steerability gradually deteriorates and one can notice abnormal tread wear.
Another effect of improperly balanced tyres is a faster wear of suspension e.g., shock absorbers and their components. Regular monitoring of tyre balance will help avoid pricey repairs and replacement of complex components of steering and suspension. For that reason, we advise that you balance your tyres each time you change your seasonal tyres or twice a year in the case of all-season tyres.
– Drivers often belittle the importance of tyre balancing. The control of alignment and optimum weight distribution should be a part of each seasonal tyre change. That is why it is important to balance all tyres two times a year, both in the case of summer and winter tyres as well as the all-season type. Thanks to it, we are able to better driving conditions and avoid vibration of the steering wheel and bodywork. In the event of major problems remember about suspension geometry check on a precise machine and with the tyres inflated to the pressures recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Correct tyre balance and precise suspension setting mean prolonged lives of our tyres, correct functioning of suspension and preservation of good steerability – says Piotr Sarnecki, Director General of (PTIA).
When should one control tyre balance?
After a collision or hitting a curb at high speed one should check the suspension geometry. You may find that after the hit the suspension changed its set points and will now cause abnormal tread wear.
– We have to remember that a good car service is, first and foremost, precise and not necessarily fast. Good tools, accurate balancing and tightening the screws with a dynamometric key are trademarks of renowned services. It is worth to go where the change of tyres may last for additional 10 minutes, but will be done professionally – adds Piotr Sarnecki.
The main factor that has a significant impact on the state of tyres is their operation, not their storing time. When driving a car with misaligned suspension or unbalanced tyres we shorten their lifespan.
When controlling the balance of our tyres we should also ensure correct tyre pressure value. It impacts the tyre’s durability, car’s traction and braking distance. Maintaining the right tyre pressure will also help reduce fuel consumption by as much as 0,3 l/100 km.
[1] European Commission, Study on some safety-related aspects of tyre use, December 2014, page 16
[2] European Commission, Study on some safety-related aspects of tyre use, December 2014, page 16
[3] European Commission, Study on some safety-related aspects of tyre use, December 2014, page 16
Source: Polish Tyre Industry Association