Tire balancing may sound complicated, but it’s fairly simple. It should not cost much to do either locally. The service should be performed right after you have an alignment or rotation completed. If you are experiencing vibration in your steering column at high speeds, it may be an indication your tires are unbalanced. Below is a simple guide to all your tire balancing questions and where to find the service. I will also share my experience with the shop that does tire balancing near me.
Map of Tire Balancing Near Me
If you are in need of a location for “Tire Balancing Near Me” or “Wheel Balancing Near Me”, see the map below for locations…
Where Can I Get My Tires Balanced Near Me?
Since a balance check is typically considered part of more routine maintenance repairs like tire rotations or alignments, almost any garage or auto body shop can balance your tires for you. Tire manufacturers like Goodyear and Michelin can also do balance checks for you and these services are often complementary with the purchase of new tires.
Every time you have replacement tires put on your car you should insist that a balance check be done. If not done, it can begin doing damage to the car the second your tires hit the pavement. Even major retailers like Costco and WalMart can do balance checks from their auto service departments. Tire balancing is a simple enough procedure that you can technically do it yourself. However, you need to have a special machine
If the balance check comes out negative, the actual process of “balancing” by affixing the counterweights can also be done at almost any garage or body shop. A balance check and the balancing itself are all considered part of the same procedure. You shouldn’t be charged extra if your tires are found to be out of balance.
How Much Does It Cost to Balance Tires Near Me?
Balancing tires is an incredibly routine repair. It is one of the cheapest repairs you can have done on your tires. As with any repair, the price will vary depending on where you go and how severe the problem is. You should never pay more than $75 to have your tires balanced. That’s slightly more than what the shop that does tire balancing near me charges.
Since this is a common procedure, it’s often thrown in for free along with other services. The cheapest way to balance your tires is to have it checked during rotation or alignment. Many shops will throw in a tire balancing free or discounted as part of a rotation.
Normally wheel balancing is offered free or a discounted price with the purchase and installation of brand new tires. This is especially true if you are buying directly from the manufacturer. Many tire shops and garages offer balancing warranties for tires (particularly brand new ones). While the warranty may cost you upfront, it will be worth it to ensure the longevity of your tires.
What is Tire Balancing?
When your tires are unbalanced, it means that the weight distribution across one or more of your tires is uneven. Uneven weight distribution affects the entire wheel (including the rim), and not just the tire itself. As the wheels turn, the weight from the body of the car should be spread relatively equally across the tire/wheel system. However, if there is an uneven amount of pressure on one part of the tire, it can cause the tire to rotate strangely. This, in turn, puts pressure on the wheel and on the axles.
Unbalanced tires can cause a whole host of problems. This includes causing the car to rattle and vibrate, suspension damage, and difficulty steering.
The first step in tire alignment and balancing is just determining if there is an imbalance or not. Tire imbalances can often be the result of an improperly done alignment or rotation. Tire imbalances are sometimes fixed using a special counterweight to restore even weight distribution.
When Should I Balance My Wheels?
You should always do a balance check after a tire alignment or rotation. A good mechanic will automatically check to see that the tires are balanced after either of these procedures are done. A poorly done wheel alignment check or rotation can cause tires to be imbalanced. If a balance check is not done after either of these procedures, it could cause damage to your tires and suspension system.
Outside of these other routine procedures, I only advise one if you notice that your car is shaking or have difficulty steering. Tire balancing by itself is not seen as a routine maintenance service. If wheels are properly affixed to the vehicle, they should be perfectly balanced, and a check is not necessary.
In short, a balance should be automatically done after an alignment or a rotation. I also find it to be my standard ask when I’m installing four new or used tires on any vehicle.
Benefits of Professional Tire Balancing
Enhanced Vehicle Performance
Ensuring that your vehicle’s wheels are in optimal condition through professional wheel balancing is crucial for maintaining and even enhancing its performance.
When wheels are not evenly balanced, it can lead to issues like the steering wheel vibrating, which not only is a nuisance but can also affect the vehicle’s handling and stability, especially at highway speeds.
Proper wheel and tire balancing ensures that the vehicle is driving smoothly, providing a comfortable ride and ensuring that the vehicle is responsive and easy to control.
Increased Tire Lifespan
Wheel balancing is pivotal in preventing premature tread wear and ensuring that your wheels experience proper tread wear. Unbalanced wheels can lead to uneven wear on your tires, which in turn, reduces their lifespan significantly.
By ensuring that the weight is distributed evenly across all tires, wheel balancing helps in avoiding issues like cupped wear patterns and ensures that the tires wear down at a uniform rate, thereby prolonging their usability and ensuring that you get the most out of your investment in quality tires.
Improved Fuel Efficiency
A vehicle that has well-balanced wheels tends to run more efficiently. When wheels are unbalanced, the vehicle has to work harder to propel forward, which in turn, consumes more fuel.
Wheel balancing ensures that all tires are synchronized and moving evenly, reducing the amount of effort and energy required to move the vehicle. This not only helps in improving the vehicle’s fuel efficiency but also contributes to reduced emissions, making your vehicle more eco-friendly.
Safety Benefits
Safety is paramount when it comes to vehicle maintenance, and ensuring that your wheels are balanced plays a vital role in this. An unbalanced wheel can cause the steering wheel to vibrate. Potentially leading to loss of control, especially when driving at higher speeds on the highway.
Furthermore, uneven tires can negatively impact the vehicle’s braking efficiency and could lead to a hazardous situation. Especially in emergency stopping scenarios. Ensuring that your wheels are balanced and that your vehicle is in top-notch condition is crucial in safeguarding against potential accidents and ensuring a safe driving experience.
In conclusion, professional wheel balancing is not just a maintenance routine but a necessity for every vehicle and truck owner who values safety, efficiency, and performance on the road. It ensures that your vehicle is driving straight, handling well, and that the tires are preserved for as long as possible, saving you from unexpected expenses and ensuring a smooth and safe drive.
What’s the Difference Between Balancing and Alignment?
Tire alignments and tire balancing are often talked about together and most garages will do a tire balance after they’ve done an alignment. However, the two are technically different procedures.
Balancing is about making sure that the vehicle weight and distribution is evenly spread across the tire, wheel, and axle. If tires are found to be imbalanced, this is usually corrected with specially designed counterweights. Alignments, on the other hand, become necessary when the tires are not sitting on the axle at the correct angle. If the wheels are tilted too far in toward the body of the car, or too far out away from the body of the car, they won’t rotate properly.
Misaligned wheels can quickly become unbalanced tires. This is why both repairs are often done as part of the same procedure. An improperly done tire alignment can result in imbalanced tires. Any good mechanic will automatically do a balance check after an alignment. If you are doing your own wheel alignment, you should also do a balance check.
What’s the Difference Between Balancing and Rotation?
Balancing is something that should always be done after a tire rotation, but balancing is technically a separate repair.
Balancing is about ensuring that the weight on the tires is spread evenly across the entire tire, wheel, and suspension system. It is technically a repair, rather than a routine maintenance service. It’s usually external damage or other repairs that have been poorly executed that cause the tires to become imbalanced.
Rotation, on the other hand, is a routine maintenance procedure that should be done regularly, about every 5,000 or so. When tires are rotated, the front and back tires are taken off the car and their positions are swapped out following a set rotation pattern optimized for your vehicle.
Rotations are necessary to ensure even tire wear. Uneven tire wear can cause tires to become imbalanced, and improperly done tire rotations cause tires to become imbalanced. These two repairs are typically done as part of the same procedure. If you rotate your own tires, you should also make sure you do a balance check.
Signs Your Wheels Need Balancing
- Uneven Wheel Wear
One of the first signs that your wheels need balancing is noticing uneven wear. When you take a close look at your wheels, you might notice scalloped or irregular wear patterns.
This is often a result of your wheels not being evenly balanced, causing them to wobble or bounce as you drive. This not only reduces the lifespan of your wheels but also can make your rides less smooth and safe.
- Vibration in the Steering Wheel Vibrates
If your steering wheel or seat vibrates while you’re driving, especially at certain speeds, it’s a clear sign that your wheels might need to be balanced. The vibrations usually start in the steering wheel and might spread to the floorboard and the seat, making your drives uncomfortable and potentially unsafe.
Ensuring your wheels are balanced properly can help you drive smoothly and avoid these annoying and potentially dangerous vibrations.
- Unusual Noise from the Wheels Balanced
Hearing strange noises from your wheels, like humming, growling, or roaring, is another sign that something might be off. These noises can be due to the uneven wear of the wheels, which is often a result of them being unbalanced.
The irregular wear can create potential imbalances and cause your wheels to make unusual noises, especially when you speed up. Balancing your wheels can help reduce noise and ensure a quieter ride.
- Steering Problems
Experiencing problems with your steering, such as the vehicle pulling to one side or the other, can also indicate a need for wheel alignment and balancing. Proper standard wheel alignment and balancing are crucial to ensure that your vehicle responds well to your steering and doesn’t sway or veer unexpectedly. If you find that your vehicle is not handling as it should. It’s essential to check for wheel alignment and balance issues.
In summary, with wheel alignment services, paying attention to the signs of unbalanced wheels, such as uneven wear, vibrations, unusual noises, and steering issues, is crucial for maintaining a safe and efficient vehicle.
Regular wheel alignment checks and ensuring your wheels are balanced can prevent these issues and ensure that your vehicle performs optimally, providing a smooth, quiet, and safe ride. Considering a lifetime wheel alignment service might be a cost-effective solution for long-term vehicle maintenance.
Additionally, utilizing a mounting service can further ensure that the wheels are properly installed and balanced, enhancing the vehicle’s performance and safety system alignment. Always refer to the vehicle’s owner’s manual for specific guidelines on wheel alignment and balancing to maintain optimal handling and safety.
Tire Balancing Near Me – Conclusion
It’s recommended that you do a balance check after every 6,000 miles of driving. This is also about when you should be getting a rotation as well. If you ensure that a balance check is done as part of your routine tire rotations, you eliminate the need for a separate balancing. In fact, a poorly done rotation can cause your wheels to become imbalanced, so a good mechanic will do a balance as part of the rotation.
If you notice a shaking or vibrating in the body of the car or in the steering wheel this could be a sign that your tires are out of balance. If the shaking gets worse the faster the car drives, it’s even more likely it’s a balance issue. Balancing is a routine repair and is one of the cheapest things you can have done to your wheels.
Prices will vary depending on where you go, but you should never pay more than $75 dollars including the purchase of a warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does Tire Balancing Do?
Tire balancing corrects the weight distribution on your tire and wheel assembly. A properly balanced tire creates a smoother ride, even tread wear, increased tire lifespan, and reduces strain on the vehicle’s drivetrain.
How Much Does Tire Balancing Cost?
On average a tire balancing service costs between $15 – $50 per tire. It is often a standard service when new tires are mounted. You can find discounts and coupons for tire balancing online. Note that the price requires inspection and additional services might add to the cost.
Be mindful of minimum monthly payments if opting for a payment plan and check message and data rates if opting for notifications via mobile number.
How Do I Know If My Tires Need Balancing?
3 Common wheel balancing questions and indicators of improperly balanced tires are:
- Uneven tread wear or premature tread deterioration.
- Poor fuel economy.
- Vibration in the steering wheel, floorboards, or seats at higher speeds, which might leave the floorboard vibrating.
Do I Need an Alignment or a Tire Balance?
While both are recommended routine services, tire balancing should be done more frequently than a proper wheel alignment service. Over time all wheels become unbalanced and a balancing service appointment is required to reset them.
It’s wise to consult your owner’s manual for specific guidelines related to your vehicle. Also, consider scheduling your appointment in advance to avoid delays.
Is it OK to Drive on Unbalanced Tires?
Driving on unbalanced tires puts undue strain on your vehicle. Parts impacted are the shocks, bearings, and wheel assembly. Driving on unbalanced tires increases fuel costs and reduces the lifespan of your tires. Ensuring ride comfort and safety, it’s crucial to address any issues related to tire balance and alignment promptly.