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Let’s Talk About Your Tires

Some drivers may understand that their vehicles need tire rotation services to maximize the life of their tires. Still, they may not always understand when their vehicle needs other tire-related services like tire balancing or wheel alignment. 

At Parra Car Care, we feature a full-service tire shop that can perform all of the tire-related services your vehicle will need. We're here to help you navigate the difference between wheel alignment, tire balancing, and tire rotation. 

Dive in with us as we cover the basics of these three important tire services, and be sure to schedule an appointment with our tire shop in Euless, TX, for trusted tire-related maintenance services

Wheel Alignment Services 

A wheel alignment makes tiny adjustments to the camber and toe (the angle) of your wheels to ensure that they point perfectly straight and are parallel. When this service is performed, your vehicle will be driven onto a large machine, and one of our certified mechanics will use laser technology to measure the angle at which your wheels are pointing so that proper corrections can be made. 

Why Wheel Alignment Is Important

If your wheels are even a single degree off-center, it could seriously impact the performance of your car — especially your tires. When your wheels are misaligned, they often pull your vehicle to one side. This unnatural pull causes your tires to wear at an accelerated rate and, if left unchecked, can cause irreversible damage to your tires.

What Causes the Need for a Wheel Alignment

Your tires and suspension absorb countless impacts day after day. Additionally, your tires and your suspension undergo additional stresses when accelerating, braking, or even turning corners. These stressors can slowly cause your wheels to creep out of alignment. Sudden impacts, like potholes or collisions, can accelerate your need for wheel alignment. 

How often should you have a wheel alignment service? We recommend every two years.

How To Know When You Need Wheel Alignment

Here are the symptoms that you may notice when your vehicle needs a wheel alignment:

  • Uneven tire wear
  • Pulling to one side
  • Steering wheel vibration
  • Crooked steering wheel

tire clamped onto wheel alignment technology

Tire Balancing Services

Tire balancing is when a mechanic installs tiny counterweights on the side of your tires to ensure they roll smoothly. Tiny imperfections during the manufacturing process translate to vibrations when your tires start rolling. Tire balancing uses weights that weigh just a few grams, but that is enough to counter these vibrations and provide a smooth and comfortable ride.

Why Tire Balancing Is Important

Tire balancing is important because it eliminates driving vibrations. Excess vibration can negatively impact your vehicle’s performance, especially at highway speeds. Vibrating tires can easily cause you to lose control of your vehicle, which is a major safety risk.

How Often You Should Get Your Tires Balanced 

It is generally recommended to have your tires balanced every 6,000 to 7,500 miles. Because performing a tire rotation every 7,500 miles is also advised, we recommend having a tire balance performed simultaneously with your tire rotation.

How To Know When You Need Tire Balancing

Excess vibration is one of the main symptoms indicating that your tires need to be balanced. Some drivers misinterpret this symptom and believe they may need brake replacement services; however, there is a way to tell the differences in vibrations. When your brakes need to be replaced, your steering wheel may shake when you depress the brake pedal. 

However, when you need tire balancing services, your entire vehicle will vibrate once you reach a certain speed. These vibrations will occur whether your foot is on the brake or not. 

auto mechanic performs tire services

Tire Rotation Services

A tire rotation moves your wheels from one axle to the other. For example, a set of wheels at the rear would be placed up front, and the wheels up front would be placed on the rear axle. Additionally, some vehicle manufacturers recommend changing wheels to opposite sides. 

Why Tire Rotation Is Important

Tire rotation is important because it helps maximize your tires’ life. Many vehicles are not built with even weight distribution between the front and rear axles, which means your tires will wear at different rates if they’re not rotated regularly. Performing a routine tire rotation is the best way to even out the load between all four tires to ensure you get the most out of your tires.

How Often To Get Tire Rotation 

It is generally recommended that a tire rotation be performed every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. This helps ensure that, despite any weight imperfections your particular vehicle may have, your tires evenly share the load throughout their lifetime.

However, it's vital to make sure that your vehicle is eligible for tire rotations, as only some vehicles are. Vehicles with staggered wheels, or those with wheels that are a different size in the rear than in the front, may not need a tire rotation because the wheels from the rear of the vehicle cannot operate upfront. However, we recommend you check your owner’s manual for the most accurate information on how to care for your vehicle. 

How To Know When You Need Tire Rotation

One of the main ways to know when it's time for a tire rotation is by checking when you last got one. If your tires are healthy, there should be no symptoms that your tires need to be rotated. However, forgetting to rotate your tires regularly could cause your tires to wear prematurely.

Schedule Service at Parra Car Care Today

At Parra Car Care, finding the tire services you need is never a hassle. Our full-service tire shop provides all the tire-related services your vehicle will need. Our professionally trained Service Advisors will also provide excellent customer service to make your experience with us exceptional. 

In addition to our competitive prices, our Euless tire shop offers money-saving service coupons that help you enjoy the trusted service you're looking for at a value you'll love. Schedule an appointment at Parra Car Care today and drive with peace of mind, knowing that your tire-related needs are handled by the most trusted tire shop in Euless, TX.