How Long Does Tire Alignment Take: Why Wheel Balancing is Required

Last updated on July 11th, 2023 at 05:47 pm

Are you a driver or a car owner? Do you know how long it takes to balance a tire or align your car wheels? Well, in the post will look at how long does tire alignment take and why wheel balancing is required or benefits of wheel balancing.

We will be expounding on the benefits of wheel balancing as well as how to tell which tire is out of balance among many other necessary car maintenance information that you need know as a driver, a car owner or a potential driver. This article might interest you too: 5 unbalanced tires symptoms: how to tell which tire is out of balance

how long does tire alignment take: Why Wheel Balancing is Required

So if you like get more info on how long does tire alignment take then keep reading and we will also even talk about how to tell which tire is out of balance.

How Long Does An Alignment Take

The duration of wheel alignment depends mainly on the car’s make and the condition of the car’s parts. However, the standard time duration it will take to get an alignment done is between 15 to 30 minutes. It should be noted that in some cases, the alignment work can take over 30 minutes, largely depending on the vehicle and its condition. However, the minimum time frame is about 15 minutes, if nothing has broken down in the car’s parts. A very good alignment may equally take up to 45 minutes, which generally boils down to different factors. In the end, there is no specific time frame within which an alignment is bound to be done. There are only typical estimations and popular averages. Most importantly, the alignment is done in a professional or credible car maintenance or repair shop. Similar content: Can Bad Alignment Cause Traction Control Light To Come On?

Why Wheel Balancing Is Required

If you are probably wondering why do wheels need to be balanced, below are some important reasons for wheel balancing.

1. For a Smooth Ride

One of the primary reasons why wheel balancing is required is to enjoy your car rides. One of the benefits of wheel balancing is that the wearing of your tires will be made even as the distribution of tire weight is adjusted, guaranteeing you a smooth ride.

2. For Safe and Efficient Operation of Your Car

It is normal and natural that your car tires will begin to lose their integrity over time and this becomes obvious via tread wear that causes them to lose balance. Tread wear leads to uneven distribution of weight around the tires which therefore causes imbalance that would usually be felt in abnormal vibration or shaking as you drive the vehicle. This is a major reason why wheel balancing is important because it helps to restore appropriate balance to the weight distribution of your car tires. It puts an end to every abnormal shaking or vibration that causes discomfort as you drive your vehicle. Moreover, continuous and unchecked tire imbalance will soon lead to an ineffective operation of your vehicle as certain parts of your car may soon get damaged due to the frequent rough shaking and vibrations.

3. It’s a Necessary Car Maintenance Service for Modern Cars

Wheel balancing is a basic car maintenance service that is required to keep your car in good driving condition and to guarantee your safety as you drive. Hence, tire balancing is important because it is a critical service in modern vehicles which are relatively lighter in weight compared to older cars which were typically heavier, and could suppress the vibrations, thereby aiding a smooth ride with less discomfort. Since modern car designs and innovations are targeted toward making lighter cars, the tires come with lower profiles for better performance and modern style. It may however require a regular balancing of tires in order to avoid complications for the tires and even some of the car’s parts.

See this post too for 5 Cheap $40 wheel alignment Services in US and also Driving a Car With Bad Alignment)

How To Tell Which Tire Is Out Of Balance

Are you wondering: do rear wheels need balancing? Well, it’s very easy to tell if your wheels need to be balanced. Read below for more:

1. Uneven Worn Out Tires

If you’re looking for which tire is out of balance, then this is a major feature of an unbalanced tire. Usually, an unbalanced tire would begin to wear off along the edges, unlike normal balanced tires that wear out from the tread.

2. Variations in Tire Pressure

This is another way to detect a tire that is out of balance. An unbalanced tire would usually lose its pressure thereby, causing an unbalanced driving experience. It is necessary to always pay attention to variations in your tire pressure.

3. Unusual Tire Noises

Unusual, funny tire noises can be very annoying when driving. They simply denote the possibility that one or more of your car tires are out of balance. Usually, the noise is like a humming or buzzing sound.

4. Vibrations

This is the most common way to detect that your car tire(s) is out of balance. When you begin to experience disturbing and unusual vibrations from your steering wheel, then the odds are that you likely have an unbalanced tire at hand. In fact, the vibrations may also envelop the whole car especially when you are driving at top speeds.

Is Wheel Balancing Necessary for New Tires

Any auto maintenance expert will surely agree that it is quite necessary that your wheels undergo balancing for new tires. The reason for this is simple. First, it helps to keep the expected lifespan of the new tires intact. Secondly, if you do not undergo a wheel balancing for your new tires, then the chances are so high that your new tires will not roll as smoothly as they ought to. This can consequently cause a number of concerns for you as a driver or car owner.

How Long Does It Take To Balance A New Tire

The time it takes to balance a new tire is relatively shorter compared to how long it takes to balance an old or worn out tire that has hit numerous potholes. On average, the estimated time to balance a new set of tires is between 40 minutes and an hour.

How Long Does Wheel Alignment Take

Typically, a wheel alignment will take about an hour of work for either a two-wheel alignment or four-wheel alignment. Also, the duration for wheel alignment depends on the condition of the wheel.

Conclusion on How to Tell Which Tire is Out of Balance

In all, these are some of the necessary information you need to know as a prospective driver, or you are already driving.

Remember, wheel balancing and wheel alignment are essential car maintenance services that you should not overlook. Importantly, if you have just bought a new set of tires, then it is necessary to have them balanced so as to maintain their expected lifespan. I hope we were able to answer your question “how long does tire alignment take”.