Maintaining your car is essential to avoid accidents and problems.

Balancing your car tires is equally crucial to avoid major damage — and, even if you don’t know it now, you end up saving money (true story).

Tires undergo constant wear and tear related to different factors, such as the type of driving (active or passive) and the road temperature. It’s the tires that create grip on the road. In the event of sudden braking, they adhere to the road surface, reducing the braking distance.

You know what can happen if your tires are worn out, right?

But don’t think that tires are the only thing in that condition that cause problems, because wrongly inflated tires are also dangerous — for drivers and occupants.

And the risks are serious.

Wrong tire balance: the top 5 risks

First of all: think before you do.

You must balance your tires according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Therefore, you should follow the pressure indicated by your car’s brand to avoid these problems.

1. Aquaplaning

When you contact a wet road surface, and your tires are not properly balanced, there will be more friction on the road surface — and therefore, more water in the tire’s grooves. Aquaplaning is therefore inevitable.

2. Bursting

The bursting of tires is entirely related to their low or high pressure. If it is flat, at a different pressure than normal, or with flaws (or tears), it is most likely that the tire will burst while driving.

3. Rollover (especially in SUVs)

SUVs have a higher center of gravity than conventional cars. As such, this is already a vehicle that rolls over more easily. Now, if the tires are improperly balanced, the likelihood of the car rolling over is even greater.

4. Tire deterioration

When a tire with low pressure goes over potholes, it creates “bubbles” on the sides. Tires’ wear also increases by not being balanced.

5. Higher fuel consumption

Badly balanced tires improve your car’s performance by up to 15% — to maintain good performance, which significantly increases fuel consumption.

4 reasons to balance your car tires

You can avoid some problems in your car. And balancing the tires solves most of them.

1. Fuel savings

This is the first reason to point out since fuel prices continue to rise at an impressive rate.

Properly balanced tires prevent the car from increasing its performance. So you’re already saving instantly.

2. Tire life

Properly balanced tires have a longer service life. Under-inflation, on the other hand, causes tire’s misuse. If the overloaded area (known as the “shoulders”) starts to be used up, the tire will wear out faster.

3. Prevents suspension wear

The car’s suspension is designed so that, in an even way, the 4 tires can provide all the comfort to the occupants. Unbalanced tires require more work from the whole suspension assembly (to provide stability).

4. Greater comfort and better driving

Your tires are your car’s first suspension whenever it goes over a pothole or bumps. When your tires are too full, you will feel every unevenness of the road surface. Empty tires will puncture very easily, damaging the rim.

Balanced tires, on the other hand, will absorb most of the irregularities, and the steering will be lighter.

When to balance your tires

There is no specific time to balance your car tires. However, what you should do is check your tire pressure regularly. Do it at least every 15 days.

To find out the ideal pressure for each tire, simply read the manufacturer’s manual (which comes with your car).

If by chance, you feel that the vehicle goes off course while driving, this is a sign that you should take the car to a mechanic. Only these professionals will be able to balance the tires correctly.