When you hear the words “balancing” or “alignment”, what springs to mind? For most, these words have more to do with the yoga studio than your vehicle – but balancing and aligning your tires is just as important as aligning your inner chakras. But what is the difference between tire balance and wheel alignment, and how do you know which service your Volkswagen requires? Allow our VW service center near Phoenix to tell you more about the difference between tire balance and wheel alignment.
Purpose of Tire Balancing and Wheel Alignments
Tire balancing and wheel alignment are two different services, although they both contribute to a smoother ride. A tire balance corrects the weight imbalance on your tire and wheel assemblies while an alignment corrects the angles of the tires so that they come into contact with the road in just the right way.
What is Tire Balancing?
Tire balancing, also known as wheel balancing, corrects the uneven distribution of weight in your Volkswagen’s wheels. When your wheels are imbalanced, your tires may suffer excessive tire wear and vibrations – you may even suffer damage to your suspension.
During a tire balancing service, your Volkswagen’s tires and wheels are mounted onto a tire balancing machine. The machine spins the tire and wheel assembly to measure the imbalance so that our VW technician can precisely install the correct tire weights to achieve a properly balanced wheel and tire assembly. While tire balancing and wheel alignment often happen in the same service, they should not be confused for the same thing!
What is Wheel Alignment?
Despite what most people think, a wheel alignment is not an alignment of the wheels themselves. Wheel alignment is the adjustment of your Volkswagen’s suspension – the system that connects your vehicle to its wheels.
A wheel alignment will keep your Volkswagen from veering to the right or left. It can also improve the handling of your VW and stop unusual on-the-road vibrations.
Receive a VW Tire Balance or Wheel Alignment near Phoenix
Balancing and alignment are as important for you as it is for your Volkswagen. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a service appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact us at our Phoenix area VW dealership today.
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