Tires are one of the most important parts of a car to ensure stability and safety on the road, so it is important that they are properly balanced. Unbalanced tires can cause uneven wear, vibration and potentially dangerous driving conditions.
What is tire balancing?
Tire balancing means an even distribution of the wheel mass in relation to the axis of rotation so that the center of gravity coincides with the center of rotation. The tire is balanced when the mass of the disc and the tire are evenly distributed in relation to the axis of rotation. In the case of unbalanced tires, the quality and comfort of driving is reduced, and the service life of tires, bearings, shock absorbers and other suspension system components is shortened. Driving disturbances in the event of incorrect tire balance usually increase with increasing speed.
Static balancing
Static imbalance occurs when the tire carcass has lighter and heavier areas that prevent the tire from rolling smoothly, resulting in vertical oscillations. To prevent static wheel imbalance, the weight must be attached to the wheel on the axle of symmetry on the opposite side of the tire. When you lift the car wheel, it will turn down due to the unbalanced weight.
Dynamic balancing
Dynamic imbalance occurs when the lateral masses of the wheel in relation to the center axle are different. Dynamic balancing can only be performed by turning the wheel. Equilibrium is achieved by means of a rotating balancer, eliminating both static and dynamic imbalances. Dynamic balancing is better than static because both static and pair balance are measured.
Why is wheel balancing important?
Wheel balancing eliminates possible vibration in the steering, vibration of the car at any speed and ensures even tire tread wear. As a result, the car gains perfect handling as well as reasonable wear of the tires and running gear.
Wheel balancing includes :
- tire and wheel removal;
- mounting of each wheel on the balancing machine;
- rotation of each wheel to ensure that the weight of the wheel and tire is evenly distributed;
- determination of incorrect balance;
- adding lead weight to the opposite side of the tire to compensate for weight differences;
- tire and disc conversion.
How often should the wheel balance be checked?
Your car specialist can determine if your wheel needs balancing based on the car’s mileage and tire wear.
You can fix it yourself –
If any of the following symptoms occur:
- steering vibration at any speed;
- car vibration at any speed;
- uneven tire wear.
- After injuring the wheel in a pit or on the edge
Tire rotation
Regular tire rotation ensures even tire wear, which also improves tire life. Last but not least, it can improve handling and traction.
Why is tire rotation important?
The front tires of a car usually wear faster than the rear tires because they are subjected to more pressure because they are responsible for turning the car. Frequent rotation of the tires will result in more even tire wear and longer tread life.
How often should the tires be rotated?
It is recommended to rotate the tires on average every 10,000 km or every other oil change. If you are transporting heavy loads or driving at high speeds, it is recommended to rotate the tires more often, as this creates more pressure and load.
After rotating the tires, it is not necessary to balance the tires if you do not feel any vibrations in the steering wheel, floor or seat while driving.
If the car is equipped with different tire sizes, lateral rotation is recommended.