Tire Balancing and Tire Alignment in Myrtle Beach, SC

Whether you use your car mostly for commuting, running errands, taking kids from place to place, or traveling longer distances, you can’t afford for it to falter and let you down. You also hope your vehicle will stand the test of time and last many years. You can’t accomplish these goals if you don’t maintain your vehicle. If you are based in the Myrtle Beach, SC, area, head to Sparks Toyota. We have certified and trained technicians ready to help with any maintenance and repair needs your car has.

Of all the parts of your vehicle, the tires get perhaps the most work. When your tires are in good condition, you can expect a smooth, safe ride. However, the tires suffer wear and tear over time. That will hamper their effectiveness, including their ability to grip the road well and bring the car to a complete stop when you apply the brakes.

Tire balancing and alignment are two common services that can prevent premature and uneven tire wear. Both can help with more accurate steering and keep your car from drifting.

It's important to understand the differences between a tire balance and a tire alignment. Both are critical and have some different purposes. At Sparks Toyota, we do each service and can keep your vehicle running well. By staying on schedule with this maintenance, your tires will last longer, so you can save money in the long run by not having to replace them as frequently.

Understanding Tire Balance

When you take your car in for tire balancing, a technician will correct any uneven weight distribution in the wheels. Poorly balanced vehicles can cause excessive vibrations, extreme tire wear, and problems with the suspension. To perform this service, a technician at our service center will put the tires and wheels on a special balancing machine. With this machine, technicians will measure the exact imbalance by spinning the tires and wheels. This allows the technician to put on the right tire weights to correctly balance the tires and wheel assemblies.

Putting off this service can hamper both the tires and wheels. You could suffer a blowout or have the wheels fail, leading to an accident on the road. You should schedule a tire balancing service with our auto service center about every 7,500 miles or six months, whichever comes first. However, if you often drive on rough roads or across uneven terrain, you should balance the tires more often.

Understanding Tire Alignment

Tire alignments are similar but not the same as tire balancing. During this service, a technician at Sparks Toyota will adjust the suspension of the vehicle. This system connects the tires and wheels to the rest of the car. If the wheels and tires are out of alignment, the angle at which they hit the road is incorrect and not in sync. This can damage the suspension and cause the vehicle to veer to one side of the road or the other. This service should occur about every 6,000 miles. Many customers stack tire alignment and tire balancing services together, but they do not need to happen together. To do an alignment service, a technician will line up the wheels and axles with one another so they are moving together in the same direction.

Come to Sparks Toyota to Have Your Wheels Aligned or Balanced

Tire alignment and balancing are not services you should neglect or put off. Between the 6,000- and 7,500-mile mark, you should take care of this important maintenance. When you prioritize these services, your tires will be more effective, and your car’s suspension will be in better condition.

Don’t take your vehicle to just any service center. Come to Sparks Toyota in Myrtle Beach, SC, today. Our service department to take care of you. We’ll do quality work and have you back on the road with excellent tires and an improved suspension system.