Does your car’s steering pull to one side on a flat highway – or do you feel a disturbing shimmy through the steering wheel at speed?
Those are tell-tale signs of either wheel misalignment or imbalance—and knowing which one is currently affecting you can save a ton of time, money and headaches.
At Alex Renner Motors (ARM), we see drivers of everything from family saloons to Lamborghinis arrive every week in our local auto repair shop at Dubai South, unsure of what’s wrong with their car.
Here’s how to tell these maddening issues apart, why each can lead to serious problems and where to go for a precise fix.
What Is Wheel Alignment?
Wheel alignment adjusts your wheels so they sit at the correct angles specified by the manufacturer. Technicians set three key measurements:
- Camber: the tilt of the wheel when viewed from the front
- Toe: the angle the tyres point inwards or outwards as seen from above
- Caster: the steering pivot angle that helps the car track straight once direction is set
Accurate alignment ensures that you have even tyre wear, precise steering and optimal handling. Have you had a crunch with a kerb? Search for “Wheel alignment” on your phone, go to a workshop and they will correct your alignment.
Why Tyre Balancing Matters
Tyre balancing is a process by which we can account for uneven weight distribution around the wheel and tyre assembly.
This may surprise you, but even brand-new tyres have slight mass variations. How do we correct them? Each wheel is placed in a balancing machine which spin them up to speed to identify heavy spots. Small weights are then clipped to specific places on the rim. This “balances” the wheel.
Without correcting this issue, you’ll feel vibrations through the steering wheel or seat at speeds from 50kph to 120kph. Apart from being just generally irritating, if left unchecked these vibrations can seriously stress suspension components, causing damage that only a dedicated vehicle repair service like ARM will be able to repair.
Symptoms of a Poor Alignment
Here’s how you can diagnose an alignment issue before calling your favorite Dubai car mechanic.
- Car veers to one side on a flat road
- Uneven wear on inner or outer tyre edges
- Steering wheel sits off-centre when driving straight
Are My Wheels Out of Balance?
Wheel wobbles driving you insane? Here’s how you know it’s definitely a balance issue.
- Vibration in the steering wheel or seat at specific speeds
- Patchy wear across the tyre tread
- A humming or rumbling noise from your tyres while in motion
If you detect any of these signs, drop into a dedicated car maintenance workshop like ARM for a full diagnostic from our trained technicians.
How Often Should You Check Your Tyres?
Most manufacturers recommend checking your alignment either yearly or whenever you replace or rotate your tyres (generally every 8,000-10,000 km). Always check your alignment after any incident that might knock your geometry out such as hitting a kerb or a deep pothole.
If you drive mainly on smooth roads and never feel a pull or uneven wear, you could stretch that to 15,000–20,000 km between full alignment inspections.
Tyre balancing pairs best with every tyre change or rotation, every 10,000km. That’s on normal roads: after an off-road trip in your Land Rover Defender in the wilds of Liwa, you’d be wise to book an extra inspection or two at ARM.
Choosing the Right Specialist
A quick search for “Car service centre” returns countless results. Here’s how you pick wisely:
- Accurate Equipment: Laser alignment rigs and dynamic balancing machines deliver pinpoint precision.
- Qualified Technicians: Certifications from equipment manufacturers ensure they know the latest procedures.
- Transparent Reporting: You should receive “before and after” alignment printouts and balancing certificates showing weight placements.
At a luxury car repair centre in the UAE like ARM, a high-performance Bentley gets the same meticulous treatment as an everyday commuter. Our technicians follow manufacturer specifications exactly to ensure every alignment and balance is perfectly executed.
Cost vs Consequence
A standard wheel alignment at a specialist centre costs only a fraction of what you’d pay to replace tyres prematurely or repair worn suspension components. Tyre balancing is even more affordable and can greatly improve ride comfort while protecting related parts.
Many workshops — including ARM — offer combined pricing for wheel alignment and wheel balancing in Dubai, giving you better value than booking each service separately.
Convenience That Counts
Your time is precious. ARM offers convenient vehicle pick-up and drop-off services from our Dubai South workshop. Don’t bother to search for “car workshop near me”; let us handle both alignment and balancing while you carry on with your day.
Our specialist car maintenance workshop can pinpoint the real problem with lightning fast speed.
Choose With Confidence
Whether you’re driving a Volkswagen to the office or taking a Ferrari for a weekend spin, get the balance right and you’ll enjoy smoother rides, extended tyre life and enhanced safety. Unsure which you need right now? ARM will guide you through your options so you can make the perfect call.
