Auto Wheel Balancing: Do Your Tires Need to Be Balanced?

Have you ever driven over a pothole and wondered if you were gonna fall into a lost world? Well, that happened to me over the weekend. I was just driving along, and BAM, my tire went into a deep hole before I could do anything to avoid it. Then, my car just didn’t feel right for the rest of the day. I immediately noticed a vibrating steering wheel, which led me to suspect a tire imbalance from the impact of hitting the pothole. I quickly scheduled a wheel balancing service to prevent any excessive tire tread wear. Keep reading for more info and helpful tips on spotting unbalanced wheels.

What Is Wheel Balancing?

Wheel balancing corrects the uneven weight distribution of your rims and tires. When assembling a wheel for your vehicle, remember it’s common for them to be unbalanced – even when brand new. This happens for several reasons. First, the rim may have been manufactured slightly off-balanced. Second, the valve stem and TPMS sensor add a bit of weight that may need counterbalancing. Finally, the tire may not be perfectly proportional, throwing off the weight distribution. These factors mean the wheel requires another step to confirm it rolls smoothly on the road. Wheel balancing is an important routine maintenance service that contributes to a safe and smooth driving experience.

How Does Wheel Balancing Work?

Your service technician uses a tire balancing machine that provides precise information to determine if and where your wheels need balancing. The machine spins each wheel, reads the overall weight, and calculates the weight distribution. If the wheel is out of balance, the technician adds wheel weights to the rim to even out the weight.

What Causes Unbalanced Wheels?

There may be many causes of unbalanced or imbalanced wheels. It is fairly common and easily fixed by a trained technician at your local auto service center. 

• Driving over rough roads is one of the most universal causes of unbalanced wheels. Things like potholes, gravel roadways, and other textured road surfaces may create flat spots or uneven tread wear on your vehicle’s tires. This excessive wear or tread damage can alter the weight distribution on the tire, creating an unbalanced wheel.
• It’s also worth noting that brand-new tires can be unbalanced straight from the manufacturer. During the manufacturing process, the rubber can be denser in some areas of the tire, causing a slight weight variation. This phenomenon can be easily corrected when your technician mounts your tires to your rims. Your service tech should always balance new tires.

Common Signs Of Wheel or Tire Imbalance

Vehicles with correct wheel balancing provide drivers with a more comfortable ride. Automobiles with a wheel or tire imbalance deliver a rougher ride and can cause premature tire tread wear and damage suspension components. Be on the lookout for these common signs of unbalanced wheels.

Uneven Tire Tread Wear

The tire tread should wear evenly over the surface of your vehicle’s tire. When there are patches of excessive wear, flat spots, or other signs of uneven tire tread wear, schedule a tire service. Your technician can determine if you need wheel balancing or if a more significant issue is at play.

Vehicle Veers or Bounces

While driving in a straight line, your vehicle may veer or pull to one side when it has a tire imbalance. Drivers also may experience a bouncy ride even though the road is smooth.

Vibrating Steering Wheel or Seat

Unbalanced front wheels may cause a vibrating steering wheel, which can intensify while accelerating or turning. Unbalanced rear wheels may cause a shaking or vibration felt through your seat.

Benefits Of Balanced Wheels

Participating in routine maintenance provides so many benefits for you and your vehicle. Correct wheel balancing not only helps you stay safer while on the road, it also contributes to the following:

• Better Fuel Efficiency
• Improved Ride Comfort
• Increased Handling and Stability
• Less Tire Noise
• Reduced Tire Tread Wear

Vehicle Wheel Balancing In Midland, MI

Auto manufacturers recommend a wheel balancing service every 5,000 – 8,000 miles or a detailed inspection during each tire rotation. All A’s Automotive in Midland, MI, is happy to provide you the service and support you need. Our technicians can quickly determine how to address your vehicle’s tire tread wear and vibrating steering wheel issues and perform a corrective wheel balancing service. Pay attention to the above-mentioned signs of tire imbalance and schedule a service when necessary.

Schedule Your Vehicle Service

Call us at 1 (989) 631-4672 or visit us online to schedule your appointment today!