WHAT IS TIRE BALANCING?

Close-up of tire balancing

Tire balancing (also known as wheel balancing) corrects uneven distribution of weight in the wheels. Imbalanced wheels can lead to vibration, excessive tire wear, damage tothe suspension, and other problems.

During a tire balance service, your tires and wheels are mounted onto a tire balancing machine. The machine spins the tire and wheel assembly to measure the imbalance, so that a technician can precisely install the correct tire weights to achieve a properly balanced wheel and tire assembly. Often, wheel balancing and alignment happen during one service, but they shouldn't be confused for the same thing!

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS THAT YOUR TIRES NEEDS BALANCING?

Uneven tire wear and vibration in your steering wheel, floorboard, or seat can signal it's time for tire balancing. You may also want to have your tires balanced during a tire rotation, after a flat tire repair, or as part of your scheduled maintenance.

Interestingly, the part of your car that trembles can indicate whether the front or back wheels need balancing. If it's in the steering wheel, it’s likely your front tires. If it's in the seats, the imbalance is in the back wheels.

Tires can become out of balance because of uneven tire wear or the loss of a wheel weight because a rim hits a curb or pothole. If you leave your car parked for extended periods without moving it, the tires might develop flat spots that cause imbalances.