Making Maltese roads safer is of the essence and one way to do so is by respecting your yearly car service appointment. An integral stage of this yearly maintenance procedure is wheel aligning and wheel balancing, which are unfortunately widely disregarded, mainly because they are dismissed as non-urgent.

What is wheel alignment?

Wheel or tyre alignment is the process of adjusting a vehicle's suspension system, which is basically what links the vehicle to the wheels. Wheel angles are modified according to the manufacturer's specifications, which will in turn determine how they touch the underlying road.

The main parts which are generally inspected are the camber, toe and caster:

• Camber alignment: This is the inward or outward angle of the tyre when viewed from the front of the vehicle. Camber misalignment may originate from worn bearings or ball joints.
• Toe alignment: This denotes how much the tyres turn inward or outward as seen from above.
• Caster alignment: The caster angle is what supports a vehicle's steering capabilities, stability and cornering. It is basically the angle of the steering axis as seen from the side of the vehicle.

What is wheel balancing?

Wheel balancing is a service which ensures equal weight distribution within the wheel and tyre assembly. Wheel specialists make sure the wheel and tyre weight is equal on all sides in order to guarantee a smooth driving experience, especially at higher speeds. If the weight is not balanced, the driver will experience steering vibrations while on the road.

Two types of balancing are generally carried out:

• Static wheel balancing: balancing on one plane- vertical movement
• Dynamic balancing: balancing on two planes- vertical and lateral movement

When should you take your vehicle for wheel aligning or balancing?

A wheel aligning and balancing appointment should be booked when:

• Buying a new car
• Fitting new tyres
• Involved in a car accident
• Tread wear is uneven
• Tyres start wearing at a fast pace
• Hitting a pothole or a bump with great force
• Vehicle starts pulling to one side
• Steering wheel is off centre when you're driving in a straight line
• Steering wheel starts vibrating when driving at high speeds

Why is wheel aligning and balancing important?

• Safer driving on the road (since you'll be driving in a straight line) 
• Enhanced steering control 
• The tyres' lifespan is maximised (tyres won't wear unevenly or prematurely)
• Lower maintenance costs
• More efficient fuel consumption
• Easier vehicle handling
• Better overall performance
• Lower chances of an accident

Start driving safer today and book your appointment at one of the wheel alignment shops around Malta and Gozo. Your safety and that of other drivers on the road are at stake!

Also discover local businesses offering car repairing service.