Do you have to balance a tire every time you change it?

Regardless of the brand, all new tires that will be used on the road should be balanced, without exception.

Is tire balancing the same as alignment?

The Difference: Wheel alignment is the term for how your wheels sit when mounted to your car and wheel balancing is what’s done to perfectly balance the weight of a tire and wheel assembly so that it travels evenly.

How important is a wheel alignment?

It’s important that wheels and tires are aligned. If they aren’t, you could be damaging your tires and affecting the vehicle’s handling characteristics. If the suspension is out of alignment, there is uneven pressure on the tires that can cause your car to work harder on the tires than it needs to.

How much does it cost to have your tires balanced?

So How Much Does It Cost To Balance A Tire? A. Many tire shops offer free balancing as part of tire packages that are purchased from them, but you’ll have to pay for it in other cases. On average, plan to spend between $15 and $75, depending on your vehicle, the tires, and the shop.

Can all rims be balanced?

Each tire is unique in terms of weight and needs to be balanced properly. Balancing should also be performed every time you get new wheels or rims. Even if the wheel and tire are balanced on their own, when you pair them together it can create an imbalance.

What is the difference between a wheel alignment and a tire balance?

A tire balance corrects the weight imbalance on your tire and wheel assemblies, while an alignment corrects the angles of the tires so that they come into contact with the road in just the right way. If you’re wondering, “What is wheel alignment?” or, “What does tire balancing mean?” it’s time to dive deeper into your car care practice.

Are your wheels balanced all the way around?

However, your wheels themselves also have to be perfectly balanced or they won’t roll smoothly. Even with all of the modern design and manufacturing technology we have available to us today, it’s actually impossible to make a wheel or tire that’s perfectly balanced all of the way around.

How does a wheel balancing machine work?

The machine spins the tire and wheel assembly to measure the imbalance, so that a technician can precisely install the correct tire weights to achieve a properly balanced wheel and tire assembly. Often, wheel balancing and alignment happen during one service, but they shouldn’t be confused for the same thing!

How often should you get a wheel alignment?

Technicians agree that getting your tires balanced every 5,000 to 6,000 miles (or as recommended by your manufacturer) can help extend their lifespan and improve their performance. Wheel alignment benefits, on the other hand, include improved vehicle handling, fuel efficiency, and tire life.