When should I ask a workshop to check wheel balancing, and how does that differ from checking alignment?

Answer reviewed by Jiří Chomát

Hello, ask a workshop to check wheel balancing if you feel vibration through the steering wheel, seat or floor, particularly as speed increases. Tires should also be balanced when newly fitted or refitted to a wheel. Balancing corrects uneven weight distribution in the tire-and-wheel assembly using small weights. Ask for an alignment check if the car pulls to one side, the steering wheel is off-center when driving straight, or the tires wear unevenly—especially after hitting a pothole or curb. Alignment concerns wheel angles and their adjustment to the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications. These symptoms can overlap, so they are clues rather than a diagnosis. Have pronounced uneven tire wear inspected by a workshop. I would describe when the symptoms occur and any recent impact or tire work, then ask the technician to establish which checks are needed.