When a car part gets damaged, it does not take much time for other parts to get affected as well, leading to a significant malfunction. One such issue is improper wheel alignment and balancing, as it adversely affects the vehicle’s performance.
Understanding these aspects of your car will help you maintain the car better, increasing its longevity and performance.
Understanding Wheel Alignment
Wheel alignment in car alignment and balancing, is essentially adjustment of your car’s suspension, which is the system that connects the car and its wheels. This includes adjustment of the angles at which the tyres and wheels are positioned for making contact with the road.
Wheel Alignment Types
- Caster – A negative caster occurs when the steering axis is tilted towards the car front, and when it is tilted towards the car’s driver, it is known as a positive caster.
- Toe – Toe-in alignment occurs when the tyres’ front edges point towards each other. Toe-out alignment occurs when the tyres’ front edges point away from one another.
- Camber – It is the tyre’s vertical angle. If the tyre’s top part leans inward, it is called a negative camber, and if it leans outward, then it is called a positive camber.
Understanding Wheel Balancing
The other aspect of tyre rotation balance and alignment is wheel balancing, which is focused on the even distribution of wheel assembly and tyre weight by the addition of weights (small) to the wheel. Wheel balancing addresses the fine imbalances, which when ignored, can result in rough rides.
Wheel Balancing Types
- Match Balancing – In this, the wheel’s highest point is matched to the tyre’s lowest point to create a smooth ride.
- Dynamic Balancing – This balancing method is used for determining the point at which the wheel and the tyre combination is the heaviest.
Wheel Balancing vs Wheel Alignment
The difference between wheel alignment and wheel balancing is made clear below:
| Service Type | Aims at | Advantages | Checking Time |
| Wheel Alignment | Getting the perfect formation for your car. | Maximises fuel efficiency and optimises tyre lifespan. | Recommended to check at least once a year. |
| Tyre Balancing | Getting your car’s tyres and wheels balanced. | Minimises tyre vibrations and lessens the strain on the suspension of your car. | Recommended to get them balanced after every 5000-7000 kilometres. |
Let us now learn about wheel alignment and balancing cost.
Charges for Wheel Alignment and Balancing
When it comes to tyre balancing and wheel alignment, the cost of these services needs to be discussed. Generally, wheel balancing can cost up to ₹300 per wheel, and 4-wheel alignment can cost up to ₹1500.
Conclusion
Hopefully, the above discussion has helped you understand your car a little better. Keeping different car parts safe and maintaining their proper functioning is the key to improved car performance and lifespan.
While maintaining your car regularly is necessary for its smooth functioning, securing it with insurance for the car is equally important. A comprehensive car insurance plan provides extensive protection to your car in events like accidents, theft, damages due to natural calamities and more.
You can also choose from a variety of add-ons along with comprehensive car insurance, which further enhances your car’s protection for a minor increase in the car insurance price.
Moreover, you can check out the car insurance price for various insurance companies at their websites and choose a plan that best covers your insurance needs within your budget.