Maintenance on your beloved vehicle is indeed necessary, especially concerning its various components. One important component to pay attention to is the car tires. Intense usage can cause the tires to shift from their initial settings. To address this, it is important to understand the functions of alignment and balancing.

Alignment is the process of balancing the car's wheels by straightening the front and rear tires, so their positions are aligned like factory settings. Over time, wheel settings can change due to road conditions and driving styles. These changes are difficult to predict, especially if frequently driving on uneven surfaces.

Balancing, on the other hand, is the process of rebalancing all the car's wheels and ensuring that the tires are in a balanced state at the wheel's center point. With balanced tires, the car's performance can be optimized, especially when driving on uneven roads.

Performing alignment and balancing maintenance is an important step to maintain the balance of the car's wheels and maximize tire performance, especially under poor road conditions. Therefore, to extend the life of the tires and improve safety and comfort while driving, we provide information about the functions of tire alignment and balancing.

Functions of Alignment and Balancing

Alignment acts to straighten the position of each wheel of your beloved car like the original factory settings. The purpose of straightening here is to return the position of all four wheels to their original or standard positions according to factory settings. 

Generally, you will feel certain symptoms indicating the need for alignment maintenance. One example is when you drive the vehicle at high speed and feel some discomfort (in the car's wheels). Usually, you will notice bumps on the surface of the car's wheels, whether on one wheel or all of them. 

Not only that, the condition of the wheels that need alignment can also be seen from the position of all four wheels that appear misaligned or not parallel when the car is stationary.

Meanwhile, the functions of alignment and balancing can also be seen from their processes, where balancing acts to restore the balance of the car's wheels. Typically, balancing maintenance is needed when you rotate the car tires. In handling this, technicians usually add weights in the form of adhesive metal to the car's rims.

Since balancing is an action to balance car tires, you can perform this maintenance anytime if you feel the tires are uncomfortable when used. However, alignment is usually done every six months. Additionally, alignment maintenance is also viewed from the distance traveled. 

If you often travel long distances, you can perform alignment every 10,000 kilometers. If your beloved vehicle frequently travels on uneven or steep roads, you are required to do alignment more often. This will also maximize the functions of alignment and balancing on your beloved vehicle.

Read also: Do 4 Simple Ways to Maintain Your Car Tires to Make Them Last

What are the Signs that a Car Needs Alignment?

Signs that a car needs alignment include:

1. Uneven tire wear
2. The vehicle feels tilted when driven
3. The steering wheel is unstable and feels heavy
4. Tires wear easily in certain areas
5. The steering wheel does not or is difficult to return to the normal position.

Regular maintenance on your vehicle is indeed very necessary, especially on certain important components. Although it may seem troublesome, if this is not done promptly, your beloved vehicle will experience damage in a short period. Of course, you do not want this to happen, right?

Read also: Meaning of Tire Size Code