Often confused with wheel alignment, wheel balancing ensures that your tires will spin vibration free. Irregularities and imperfections in the manufacturing of wheels and tires can result in heavy spots. Balancing your wheels minimizes the potential vibration caused by these imperfections, generally felt in the steering wheel, seat or floorboard. Wheel balancing is performed by placing measured weights opposite the "heavy spot."
We recommend having your tires and wheels balanced when first installed, when there is evidence of balance-related tire wear, or every 10,000 to 12,000 miles as a measure of productive maintenance. Unbalanced tires can lead to uneven wear, vibration and potentially unsafe driving conditions. Vibration-free tires enhance ride control and performance, as well as extend the lifespan of a set of tires. From a safety standpoint, unbalanced tires can cause excessive vibration at high speeds, reducing handling and control which can lead to an accident. From an environmental point of view, balance-related wear will cause tires to wear prematurely.