Why do wheels need to be balanced

Rebalancing is done in a tire shop by putting the wheel-tire unit on a tire balancing machine that takes measurements to pinpoint lighter or heavier areas and making adjustments to account for these weight differences. Wheel alignment corrects the angles of the tires so they travel in the same direction and make contact with the road properly.

Alignment reduces uneven tire wear and extends the life of your tires. Oftentimes tire balancing and alignment are perceived to be the same thing, but are not. How Tires Are Rebalanced Rebalancing is done in a tire shop by putting the wheel-tire unit on a tire balancing machine that takes measurements to pinpoint lighter or heavier areas and making adjustments to account for these weight differences. The wheel is spun while vibration measurements are taken.

This tells the tech if the weight is spread evenly, how much weight to add and where on the wheel to attach it. If an imbalance is found, the technician may be able to rebalance and adjust the weights adding more. But sometimes it requires the tech to also move the tire on the wheel and then rebalance. So, it should come as no surprise that uneven wear and tear can also reduce the life of your tires. When your tires are out-of-balance, the excessive vibrations and uneven tread wear can cause some tires to wear out faster.

Unbalanced tires are bad for more than gas mileage and treads. Over time, the vibrations resulting from your out-balance-tires will keep getting worse.

The most important benefit of balancing your tires is that it improves the safety of your vehicle. When tires are unbalanced, they can develop dangerous bald spots and uneven tread wear. Regular preventative maintenance like tire balancing goes a long way to ensuring your vehicle is always in top shape.

A good rule of thumb is to balance your tires every 5, miles or six months, whichever comes first. You can also have your tires balanced every time you change your oil or get a wheel alignment. Aside from regular maintenance, we recommend you watch out for the following warning signs and follow this advice to have your tires balanced:. Is it time for you to balance your tires? Bring the auto shop to you! Contact the friendly tire professionals at Tread Connection today to meet you at your home or office to balance your tires and get you back on the road!

Normally, if you check all tires on a tire balancing machine after one or two years of driving without incidents, you might find that one or two tires are slightly off balance. Do all 4 tires need to be balanced? If there is a vibration issue, all 4 tires are typically balanced at the same time. The reason is that it's hard to tell which tire is the cause of the vibration. In cases where the repair is done to only one tire e.

How much does it cost to get your tires balanced? It takes about minutes to balance all four wheels. What causes flat spots on tires?

If the car is parked for several months without moving, especially in cold weather, tires might develop flat spots that will also result in a vibration when driving. Normally, tires warm up as you drive and the flat spots gradually disappear, however in worst cases, tires might need to be replaced. Read below how tires are checked for flat spots.

Can balancing tires fix all vibration concerns related to tires and rims? No, balancing tires on a regular tire balancing machine can only eliminate vibrations caused by weight imbalance.