How to Maintain Your Vehicle

What You Should Know About Your Vehicle's Wheels

Without wheels, your vehicle cannot move from one point to another. You, therefore, have to ensure that the wheels remain in great working condition to not only help your vehicle move but to do so safely and without difficulty or causing an accident. To ensure this happens, you need to know several things:

Manufacturer Recommended Tyre/Wheel Size

Each vehicle make and model has a particular tyre size that fits it perfectly, such that the vehicle is well raised and you don't encounter problems when turning (such problems can lead to an accident). Correctly sized wheels also make your drive comfortable. Therefore, always ensure you install the size recommended by your car manufacturer.

Wheel Pressure

In addition to the correct size, there is also a recommended pressure PSI reading for your wheels. Ensure you do not go below or above this reading to avoid wheel damage and an uncomfortable drive.

Wheel Alignment and Wheel Balancing

Wheel balancing is when each wheel is removed from your car and its weight balanced against its assembly. You might see the wheel specialist hammer some small weights on different sections of the rim's circumference.

Wheel alignment is trying to position the wheels so that they sit perfectly straight when mounted on your car. You might see the wheel alignment specialist place some devices on each wheel and use a computer to guide him or her align the wheels.

Signs That You Need Wheel Balancing or Alignment

If you feel that your car is pushing you towards a particular direction, especially when you let go of the steering wheel for a few seconds, you might need wheel balancing and wheel alignment. Another sign can be when you feel vibrations coming from your wheel. Take your vehicle for inspection as soon as possible.

Visual signs include wheels that wear out unevenly, that is, wearing out more on the inside when compared to the outward side of the wheel.

Best Car Wheel Monitoring Practices As a Car Owner

Form a habit of walking around your car every time you park it and before you drive off. This not only helps you notice any faults on your wheels but lets you know the time frame the fault occurred. It also helps you avoid making a problem worse, for example, if you drive on a flat or deflated tyre/wheel.

Additionally, form a habit of checking your tyres regularly, especially before long drives. Driving with under-inflated tyres can lead to an uncomfortable ride, damage to your tyres and also a reduction in ground clearance. For more information about wheels, contact a professional. 


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