What problems can tire imbalance cause?
2 Answers
Tire imbalance can cause the following issues: 1. The wheels will bounce rhythmically, which is reflected in the car as steering wheel vibration. Although steering wheel vibration can also be caused by other factors, when encountering this issue, the first thing to check is wheel balance; 2. The vehicle may produce resonance when driving at a certain speed; 3. Long-term driving with severely imbalanced wheels can also affect the lifespan of the bearings, leading to bearing fatigue over time; 4. When the imbalance is severe, the tires may experience uneven wear due to abnormal lateral movement, which also affects tire lifespan.
I've experienced tire imbalance issues while driving, and that steering wheel vibration feeling is particularly annoying, especially on the highway where the shaking gets worse with higher speeds, even making the seat buzz. This imbalance might be due to improper tire alignment during installation or uneven wear from using old tires. It significantly affects driving feel, causing the car to pull to one side, unstable cornering, and even accelerating tire wear. I didn't take it seriously before, and it resulted in longer braking distances that almost caused an accident. Now, every time I get new tires or before long trips, I go to the shop for a dynamic balance test to ensure even tire rotation, which gives me peace of mind while driving. It's inexpensive and quick, so don't overlook it.
