Automobile shops test the balance of your tires one of either two ways, which is static balancing and dynamic balancing. Static balance can be achieved by the use of a “static balancing” machine; which consists of a wheel placed vertically on a non-spinning spindle tool. This tool then applies pressure to the tire from the top, which measures the deflection and gives you an idea of how imbalanced the tire is. Dynamic balance consists of generally the same thing, the machine is quite similar; but dynamic balancing has the tire spinning when the tests are applied for maximum results. There are many cars that have sensors to let you know of these problems, but sometimes the only way to properly balance your car (most of the time dynamically) is to bring it into a shop. The balance of your tires has a drastic effect of how your car can and will perform, so be sure to sort out any irregularities as quickly as possible.

Think of it almost like a shopping cart, how much energy it takes you to drive a shopping cart with unaligned wheels – you are swerving in the isles and pushing with more force. It is similar to your car – more gas to push the car, drifting to a side on the road, and wearing tires. The longer you leave it – the worse it can get. If you haven’t experienced these, it is still a great practice to check your car’s owner’s manual in order to familiarize yourself with the maintenance of your vehicle.

There really is no actual way to completely prevent an unaligned car, since it is an indicator of everyday use of your vehicle. It isn’t only the wheels but it’s also the vehicle’s suspension – which is essentially a system of linkages that connect to the wheels that ensures cooperation between the two. Upon going into your local GTA car alignment mechanic, they can use an alignment machine to measure the values and then the mechanic then adjusts these linkages accordingly. Once the procedure is finished – it guarantees even tire wear, due to the suspension making sure the tires are being used evenly, this ensures preventative measures against drifting to a side on local roads (outside of the 400 highway series, which are paved unevenly) and assists in saving fuel! Everyone’s got to love that bonus.

Since the force needed to actually stop the car is much greater than your leg could handle, the brake systems helps multiply the amount of pressure you’re giving off onto the pedal. This happens one of either two ways, through Mechanical Advantage (simply put, leverage) and Hydraulic force multiplication, which is the use of brake fluids to strengthen the pressure.

The brakes take this pressure and then transfer it to the tires with the use of friction, which causes the brake pads to grip against the tires slowing them down. The use of friction is a key part to stopping a vehicle in it’s tracks, without friction reducing the RPM of the wheel (rotations per minute) the car would never stop, and we wouldn’t want that now would we! Brakes are the epitome of driving as they stop you when it’s necessary and needed, if cars didn’t implement brake pads and anti-lock braking systems, car accident numbers would be through the roof right now! Brakes are important, but there are a various number of things that go into a working vehicle. Some people notice that their car alignments are off, and then leave it be (which is a terrible idea), this goes the same for if the car was leaking brake fluid. This should never be taken lightly, because brakes could, and most likely will, save your life.