So took our KIA to 15000kms service this morning and was told that they do rotate the wheels as part of the fixed price service, however asked if we want to spend extra $30 for the wheel balance. I understand that $30 is not much, but what I'm trying to understand is, if this is really necessary?
Any ideas guys?
Edit- sorry guys I just confirmed that this is wheel balance and not wheel alignment. My mistake.
Thanks I haven't noticed any uneven wear or steering is pulling to the side. I know $30 is cheap but given the car has only done close to 15000kms I'm not sure if this is really necessary or should I wait till the next service cycle?
Personally I'd wait unless you've hit a kerb hard you shouldn't need an alignment.
When I purchased my Kia they checked the alignment free at the 1000k service and it hasn't needed one since (now 50,000k).
Thanks I will wait too :)
But they aren't offering an alignment, they are offering a balance.
He didn't mention alignment, only balancing.
Unless your car pulls to one side when travelling on a straight road this may not be necessary. However, without actually doing the alignment you'd not know if the wheels were out!!
This is standard upsell by dealerships.
Yes my thought as well. I haven't noticed much of a pull or anything when driving so I should be safe to wait until my next service cycle may be?
Was a wheel balance? That's something else and cheaper than alignment.
hmm what's the difference between a wheel balance and alignment? I'm wondering if I got this wrong now. Can't remember exactly it was wheel balance or alignment that they offered :(
A wheel balance will check each individual wheel to make sure they are rotating correctly and not 'off balance', they will add small weights to a wheel if required. An alignment is to make sure the wheels are driving straight. OzMechanic might offer a better explanation. :)
what's the difference between a wheel balance and alignment
A wheel balance is when they place lead weights on your wheels to stop vibrations coming up through the steering wheel. Vibrations cut in and out at certain speeds.
If the dealership hasn't driven the car they won't know if it's required or not.
Ah makes sense now. No they haven't drive the car just offered to do as part of rotating the wheels. Sorry for mixing it up guys :)
@pgp82: Sounds more like a wheel balance. In that case $30 still sounds very cheap it they are doing all 4 wheels.
If there are no vibrations through the steering wheel and your tyres aren't wearing unevenly you shouldn't need an alignment or a wheel balance.
@Hithere: Thank you confirmed it is balancing. I will probably push this till next service as I already said no given I was in 2 minds to start with :). Appreciate helping a fellow bargainer here :).
Thank you for educating the uneducated :). I confirmed with the dealer that it is wheel balance and not wheel alignment they offered.
A wheel balance is much simpler and different to a wheel alignment.
All they do is take the tyres off put them on a machine that spins the tyre and tells them where to place weights on the tyre to balance it. Takes a couple of mins per tyre (excluding take the tyre off).
You have probably seen little weights clipped to the tyres.
Have you intentionally or unintentionally moved the sub frame?
Same answer as your question.
Not sure what you mean? :(
Have you initiated any major work on the car which requires the subframe assembly to bring removed/loosened or have you hit something so hard that it can displace the way your wheels are aligned.
oh no nothing like that :). May be I got mixed up between wheel balance and alignment?
@pgp82: Wheel balance is only if you changed tires or you feel a repetitive bump when travelling at low speeds.
feel a repetitive bump when travelling at low speeds.
That doesn't sound like a wheel balance issue.
Most tyres experience balance issues at high speeds (around the 80 ~ 100km/h zone) and its a harsh, high frequency vibration felt through the steering wheel or through the seat. It's seldom a "repetitive bump" and rarely at low speeds.
@pegaxs: True. I'm thinking of uneven wear now. :S
I've never experienced an unbalanced wheel. It was always done when I change tires. I change tires a lot.
@[Deactivated]: Repetitive bump at low speeds, sounds like you have been doing too many handbrake turns and have some flat spots on your rear tires?
Wheel balance - they take the wheels off the car and spin them at hi speed, and if they wobble they add a little lead weight to the rim to "balance" them.
With a wheel alignment, they align the front pair and rear pair with the chassis. They give you a report with the before and after measurements.
For $30 and while they have it off the road, I'd do it to keep the car straight. It's only $30
Depends on a few of things. When were the tyres last replaced? How many km do these ones have on them? Are you experiencing issues? It's a basic stealership upsell. It isnt much and the car may need it. If you're happy to do it, get it done. It's about what you would pay at a regular tyre place.
Does it need to be done? Well, you don't really know until you put the tyres on the machine, but generally, unless the tyres are getting on in time/wear, have just been replaced or you can feel the vibrations in the vehicle, chances are, they are fine to just rotate.
Car is still new and only doing the 15000kms service. Don't see any heavy wear on the tyres and no vibrations or any bumps when driving. I'm guessing by the responses I have received so far this is ok to put behind until may be the next service or when I notice any vibrations etc… :). Thank you for your reply.
Bargain harder and get them to include blinker fluid top up for that price.
I'm guessing they are trying to up-sell anything as part of the service. Just received another call asking if I want to replace front wiper blades $40 saying they are worn badly. I said no.
Btw what is blinker fluid?
An imaginary fluid that constantly needs topping up for your indicators to work.
Wiper blades are not that expensive and you can get them at Supercheap Auto and get one of the staff there to fit them for you.
They didn't do it for me.
To be fair, I'm probably only a B cup.
They didn't do it for me.
To be fair, I'm probably only a B cup.
What are you implying, @tshow? Tempted to neg. Some of us would argue that B cups are the optimal size and that anything bigger is an upsell.
@[Deactivated]: Hey, B cup, B pitcher, I treat all the same.
Don't shoot the messenger. It's the supercheap duuuudes that may have a different policy.
For real though, I went to a supercheap and noted a $12 charge for wiper blade change (not inc. wiper).
@[Deactivated]: Seriously? The one time I had to get my wipers changed, supercheap did it for me for free…and I'm a man. A man sans cups, or indeed pitchers, may I add. Must have been my baby blues then …
@[Deactivated]: Maybe you asked nicely. The sign is there but I'm sure if you had the right jeans on… and the right person behind that desk…
I don't know dude. A full grown man changing another full grown man's wiper is a bit strange.
@[Deactivated]: I am nothing but polite. I may , or may not, have had my screaming, teething baby in tow that day. Maybe they took pity on me? 🤔 Nah, you're right, I do look mighty fine in jeans.
Sounds like you should be looking for someone else to service your Kia from now on.
That dealership sounds like it's run by con artists.
15000k and your wipers are "worn badly" what a load of BS.
Agree, looks like they are trying anything to make you spend more and more.
All car dealerships are like that, not just Kia. FWIW I don't own a Kia.
$30 is quite reasonable. I would have had it done. The tyre can be out of balance and you won't feel it - esp if it's a rear tyre.
BTW: Most workshops want to charge $40 for the tyre rotation on top of the FPS. THAT is a ripooff!
Just a little clarification here. If the car veers, then it is an alignment problem. If there is a shuddering, then it is a wheel balancing problem. If the car does neither, nothing is required.
If the car does neither, nothing is required.
SPOT ON!!
I understand that $30 is not much, but what I'm trying to understand is, if this is really necessary?
If it is necessary then go to a tire place, a specialist on balancing and alignment.
That KIA "service" department probably will not have the tools and, more importantly, the expertise with tires. They may know absolutely everything about KIAs but that is it.
It is quite common to ask for all those extras … extras that cost money!! $30 is not much but multiply that for 20 clients that day and makes $600.
For my last car service (another brand, a German one) I was "invited" to do an air conditioner deodorizing … for a car that only had 5,000Km but reached 12 months …
Dealerships will always try to get extra more money when servicing. Just say NO.
Every dealership service centre I have seen (then again, I only ever go to thise with an actual workshop) has a full range of tire equipment because some people actually go in to dealerships for tires.
Maybe times have changed and they've gone the route of subcontracting tire shops nearby.
Thanks buds, appreciate all the responses received so far :). Have a lovely weekend fellas.
Unless your tyres are wearing unevenly or the steering is pulling to one side there is no need for an alignment.
However $30 is very cheap for a full alignment.