What is Tire Balancing: Everything You Need to Know

Have you ever felt your car vibrating or shaking while driving? Well, one small thing that can cause early tire and suspension wear is an out of balance tire. But exactly what is tire balancing, and why is it so important? Keep reading the article to find out everything you need to know about tire balancing service, when and why your tires need it, and how to tell if your tires are unbalanced. Stick around to learn all about this essential aspect of keeping your vehicle running smoothly!

So, Exactly What is Tire Balancing?

Tire balancing, also called wheel balancing, is an important maintenance procedure that distributes weight evenly around the circumference of the tire and wheel using small weights.

The tire balancing service corrects any uneven weight distribution in your tires, preventing vibration, excessive tire wear, and suspension damage. A tire balancing machine provides the necessary information for technicians to determine the need for balancing, evaluate weight distribution, and apply the correct amount of weight in the appropriate locations.

During the tire balance service, a skilled technician utilizes a tire balancing machine to identify any imbalance and install the correct wheel weights to ensure proper balance.

The Main Difference Between Tire Balancing and Wheel Alignment

People often get confused between tire balancing and wheel alignment, but it’s no wonder, given their shared focus on maintaining the wheels and tires of your vehicle. However, it’s important to recognize the differences between these two essential services.

Tire balancing services involve addressing the weight imbalance of your wheel and tire assemblies, while wheel alignment is focused on correcting the angles of your tires.

Despite its name, wheel alignment doesn’t involve directly adjusting the tires or wheels. Instead, it requires adjusting your vehicle’s suspension to set the tires at the correct angle, preventing your car from pulling to one side and improving its overall handling.

Why to Balance Tires?

Tire balancing is like a routine task that plays much important role in ensuring the optimal performance of your vehicle. By searching for tire balancing near me and hiring experts who prioritize the proper balancing of your tires, you can enjoy a smoother ride, reduce wear and tear on the tires, diminish strain on the drivetrain, improve gas mileage, and minimize the occurrence of noises and vibrations.

These benefits will collectively contribute to a more comfortable, efficient, and cost-effective driving experience, making tire balancing service an essential component of vehicle maintenance.

What Causes Tires to Go Out of Balance?

Tires can become unbalanced due to several reasons. Uneven tire wear, loss of wheel weights, flat spots from prolonged parking, driving on rough roads, manufacturer defects, and improper installation are all common causes.

Surprisingly, even careful driving may not always prevent tire imbalance, as weights can fall off and prolonged parking can lead to flat spots. Therefore, awareness of these factors is essential to maintain a safe and balanced driving experience.

Signs That Your Tires Need Balancing

Tires and wheels may appear uniform, but they often have variations in weight and can lose balance due to normal wear and tear. When your wheels are unbalanced, your tires will not spin smoothly, affecting how your vehicle handles. Here are some signs to look for to determine if your tires need balancing.

Vibrations

Feeling vibrations from the steering wheel or seats, especially at moderate speeds, can indicate that your tires are overdue for balancing. Unbalanced front tires can cause the steering wheel to vibrate, while vibrations from the rear tires are likely to be felt in the seats. These vibrations can intensify during acceleration or turns but may smooth out after reaching highway speed.

Uneven Tire Wear

Unbalanced tires can cause premature and uneven tire wear, potentially damaging your axles and other related parts.

Vehicle Pulls to One Side

Constant pulling to one side while driving in a straight line can indicate that your tires are out of balance.

Unusual Tread Wear

Poorly balanced tires can cause unusual, patchy flat areas in a tire’s tread over time, potentially leading to lost treads and affecting the strength and integrity of the sidewalls.

Worn Suspension Components

Vibration from unbalanced tires can lead to early wear and damage to wheel bearings and shocks, affecting your vehicle’s responsiveness and handling.

Changes in Gas Mileage

Vibrations and unusual tire wear caused by unbalanced tires can lead to diminished gas mileage, especially at higher speeds. It’s important to check your tires for underinflation as well, as this can also contribute to increased fuel consumption.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to search for tire services near me and have your vehicle checked by an expert technician to ensure your safety on the road. Balancing your tires is essential for maintaining a smooth and safe driving experience.

How to Balance Tires?

The tire balancing process begins after mounting the tires on the wheel, with modern mobile tire shops utilizing computerized spin balancing machines. These machines spin the tire at highway speeds, allowing the computer to detect areas of imbalance and suggest where to place weights on the wheel.

The expert technicians then apply thin metal pieces on the rim to counterbalance heavy spots, followed by another spin to ensure proper balance. This advanced approach ensures precise and effective tire balancing for optimal performance on the road.

When Do You Need to Balance Your Tires?

It’s important to pay attention to the balance of your tires to ensure a safe and comfortable driving experience.

New tires are generally balanced when first mounted on the rims, and during regular tire rotations, the mechanics offering mobile tire services often rebalance them as part of the process. Any suspension work should prompt a re balancing of the wheels.

If you notice that a weight has been knocked off, perhaps due to hitting a pothole or a curb, it’s wise to mount and balance tires and wheels. Sudden, unusual noises or vibrations should also prompt a check-up.

Regular tire rotation and balancing every 5,000 to 6,000 miles or as the manufacturer recommends is generally advisable.

Other times you can get tire balancing service include:

• At the time of tire rotation service
• While getting flat tire repair services
• During regularly scheduled maintenance visits

How Often to Balance Tires?

The frequency of tire balancing can vary based on factors such as your vehicle’s make, model, and year. As a general guideline, it’s recommended to have your tires balanced every 6,000 miles or as soon as you notice any signs indicating that your tires are unbalanced.

How Long Can You Drive on an Unbalanced Tire?

As soon as you notice vibrations, it’s important to have your vehicle checked. Unbalanced tires will not resolve themselves, and the problem needs to be addressed by a trained technician to hold safety and prevent further damage.

How Much Does Tire Balancing Cost?

The tire balancing cost can vary depending on the mobile tire shop you visit, ranging from approximately $15 to $75 for professional balancing. Some shops may even offer the service for free if you purchase tires from them.

Get Your Tires Balanced & Have a Smooth Ride!

When tires are unbalanced, they can impact your car’s handling and tire wear. Regular tire balancing is more essential to maintain the longevity and performance of your tires. By addressing this maintenance need, you can prevent future uneven tread wear and potential suspension issues.

Schedule an appointment for a wheel or tire balancing service with a mobile tire shop to keep your vehicle running smoothly.