Back to all

Round and Round (Wheel Balancing)

March 25, 2023

In a perfect world, all wheels and tires would be perfectly round and weigh exactly the same at every point of the wheel.  Unfortunately, they're not, and if they're out of balance, they can reduce the lifespan of your tires, make your vehicle shake like a carnival ride, and maybe even damage a few suspension parts along the way.  You don't want that!

Wheel balancing, sometimes known as tire balancing, is a process by which a technician makes sure your tire/wheel assembly has evenly distributed weight.  If it isn't, it can give your ride bad vibrations.  If you feel your vehicle's steering wheel shaking, it can mean unbalanced wheels in the front. If you can feel a vibration in your seats, it could be unbalanced rear wheels.

In addition to your vehicle vibrating at higher speeds, there are other signs that your wheels are out of balance. You may see uneven tread wear, or you may notice you aren't getting the kind of fuel economy you used to. 

When you experience these problems, bring your vehicle in, and we can put your wheels on a machine designed to detect any imbalance.  The technician will start your wheels spinning, and a computer will determine how much weight is needed where.  Then, the technician can add small weights on the inside or outside of your wheel rim to precisely balance out the uneven weight.  When the wheel is balanced correctly, it will spin evenly and smoothly.

Sometimes your vehicle will hit a pothole or object in the road that dislodges one of those weights, which can throw that wheel out of balance again.  If so, you'll have to bring it in to have that corrected

Some drivers confuse wheel balancing with wheel alignment. Alignment is making sure the wheels are perpendicular to the road and parallel with each other.  Sometimes your vehicle will need both balancing and alignment done at the same time.

No vibrations are good vibrations when it comes to your wheels.  Bring your vehicle to us, and we'll perform a balancing act to keep your vehicle riding smoothly down the road.

Tuffy Holland
90 Waverly Rd.
Holland, MI 49423
616.394.0880
http://www.tuffyholland.com

More articles from Tuffy Holland

Differential Service at Tuffy Holland: Viva la Difference

April 28, 2024

Every vehicle on MI roads has a differential, and it is important to the proper operation of the vehicle. But most Holland residents don't have a clue what it is.The differential compensates for differing wheel speeds. For example, when you turn, the inside tire on the turn travels a much short... More

Automotive Tips from Tuffy Holland: Battery Testing

April 21, 2024

The simple fact is that 70% of car batteries fail within 4 years. They just need to be replaced at Tuffy Holland when they are no longer able to hold a full charge.Batteries are a big ticket item for most Holland drivers and its tempting to put off buying a new one as long as possible. But a batt... More

The Tuffy Holland Guide to Saving Fuel: Car Weight

April 14, 2024

The team at Tuffy Holland in Holland, and MI car owners are all talking right now. Better gas mileage. Fewer emissions. Holland drivers want to save the environment and their pocketbooks.And we all knowor should knowthat preventive maintenance will help maximize fuel economy. But is there someth... More