Often
confused with wheel alignment, a
properly balanced wheel is a beautiful,
perfectly tuned wheel-tire combination.
This is accomplished by placing measured
lead weights on the opposite side of the
"heavy spot"—the noticeable tread wear
on your unbalanced tire.
How
do I know if I need my wheels
balanced?
Is your
vehicle vibrating at certain speeds,
say, between 50 and 70 mph? If so,
chances are your wheel is out of
balance. One section of your tire is
heavier than the other because it's
endured more exposure to the friction
and heat of the road. Most people are
very satisfied with the difference such
a simple and inexpensive procedure
makes.
Look for these signs,
and if you find either one, come see
us:
?
Scalloped, erratic wear pattern on
tires.
?
Vibration
in steering wheel, seat, or floorboard
at certain speeds.
Every
time a wheel is first mounted onto the rim
with a new tire, it has to be balanced.
The goal is to make sure the weight is
even around the wheel.
Wheel balance is checked on a wheel
balancing machine that can sense as little
as 1/4 ounce difference in weight around
the wheel. Why worry about 1/4 ounce on a
wheel that weighs many pounds? That tiny
amount of weight is traveling very fast
around the axle: hundreds of times a
minute. It creates enough momentum to
cause serious vibration. And when you
multiply by 4 wheels, the wobble really
adds up. Unbalanced tires put uneven
pressure on the treads. Tires get too hot
and wear unevenly. Tire imbalance can also
strain the wheel bearings and suspension
system.
To balance the tires, our technicians
places tiny offsetting weights at specific
points around the wheel.
Not "once and done"
The minute you pull away from the service
station with your newly balanced tires,
they begin getting out of balance again.
Every bump and corner affects balance; so
does tire wear. Over time, your tires get
out of balance again. That's why it's
important to have tires balanced
regularly.
What are the warning signs that my tires
aren't balanced?
You're most likely to notice uneven wear
on the tires. Many drivers also notice
vibration over 40 mph, especially if the
imbalanced tires are on the front.
How often should my tires be balanced?
During typical use, it's a good idea to
have your tires rotated and balanced every
4,000 to 6,000 miles. Have them balanced
any time a tire is replaced or patched.
Also see our section on: TIRES
& WHEEL
ALIGNMENTS
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