Wheel balancing is an important procedure that affects the safety and comfort of driving your car. It becomes especially relevant in the cold season, when snow and ice appear on the roads. In this article, we will consider when and why it is necessary to balance winter tires of size 225/60 R18.
When to do balancing?
- When changing tires. If you have just installed new winter tires, then balancing is a must. This will help to avoid vibrations and wheel imbalance, which can affect handling and wheel wear.
- When vibrations appear. If vibrations appear in the steering wheel or in the car interior while driving, this may be a sign of unbalanced wheels. In this case, balancing is necessary.
- If your tires are wearing heavily. If your tires are wearing unevenly, especially on the inside or outside edges, this may also indicate that they need balancing.
Why is balancing important?
Balancing your tires allows you to distribute the weight of your tires evenly and avoid imbalance. This is important for maintaining road grip, tire wear, and driving comfort. Uneven tire wear can reduce tire life and impair vehicle handling.
Important. Do not postpone seasonal tire replacement for later, because this is a direct threat to safety on the road. Contact the Askania Shina online store for a competent selection, including for 225/60 R18 tires at the link: https://ascania-shina.com/shiny/zimnie/w225/h60/r18 .
What is the danger of unbalanced winter tires 225/60 R18?
Unbalanced wheels can be a serious problem in winter. Winter roads themselves require maximum safety, and even a small imbalance can lead to negative consequences.
Dangers of unbalanced wheels:
- Loss of traction: Uneven weight distribution on the wheel can cause loss of traction, especially on slippery surfaces.
- Tire wear. Wheel imbalance can cause uneven tire wear. This will reduce the life of your tires and require additional replacement costs.
- Vibrations and discomfort. The driver and passengers may feel vibrations in the steering wheel and the car interior, which will make the ride less comfortable.
- Impaired handling. Unbalanced wheels can affect the handling of your vehicle, especially at high speeds.
Is balancing necessary after running in winter tires?
Running-in of new winter tires is an important stage of their operation. During running-in, tires can take an optimal shape and also “get used to” the disks. However, even after running-in, it is recommended to balance the wheels.
Why? After running-in, any imbalances that were present but less noticeable may become more apparent. Balancing after running-in will help ensure that your winter tires are performing optimally and providing maximum safety on the road.
What faults can uneven tire wear indicate?
Uneven wear on car tires can indicate various problems related to the car or driving style. This symptom not only reduces the service life of tires, but can also significantly affect safety on the road. Here is what uneven wear on the tread can indicate:
- Incorrect tire pressure: If your tires are under-inflated or over-inflated, this can lead to uneven wear. This is often visible as more wear on one side of the tire.
- Suspension problems: Uneven wear can be caused by suspension problems such as worn shock absorbers, improper installation, or bearing failures.
- Incorrect wheel balancing: If the wheels are not balanced correctly, this can cause vibrations and therefore uneven wear.
- Incorrect wheel alignment: Lack of or incorrect wheel alignment can result in uneven wear on the inside or outside of the tread.
- Brake system problems: Brake problems such as sticking calipers or improper brake system operation can cause uneven wear.
- Steering system problems: Steering system problems, such as worn tie rods, can also cause uneven wear.
It is important to regularly check the condition of the tread and, if uneven wear is detected, to find and correct the cause. This will not only extend the life of your tires, but will also make driving safer.