Cold air causes regular tire deflation because of the way the air particles inside the tire contract. However, sometimes the tire can deflate so much that your tires become unbalanced. Another common reason for tire imbalance is the loss of a wheel weight.
How do tires get balanced?
In the tire balancing process, a technician uses a highly calibrated balancer and then applies wheel weights (measured in ounces) to evenly distribute the weight of a tire and wheel assembly. This eliminates or minimizes any vibrations to ensure a smooth ride, while also reducing wear and tear on suspension components.
- How do you balance a tire?
- Balancing involves placing the wheel and tire assembly on a balancer, setting the center of gravity of the wheel, and rotating it to identify the position of the weight. To balance the tires, it is necessary to use a tire balancer, measure the weight of the unbalanced part and then add weights of lead on the opposite side.
- How does a tire balancing machine work?
- A tire mounted on a wheel is attached to a tire balancing machine. The wheel is spun while vibration measurements are taken. This tells the tech if the weight is spread evenly, how much weight to add and where on the wheel to attach it. If an imbalance is found, the technician may be able to rebalance and adjust the weights (adding more).
- What happens when a tire is out of balance?
- When a tire is out of balance, one area will be heavier than another. This causes the car to shake, which can be felt in the steering wheel and body of the vehicle. You may experience a vibration or steering wheel shimmy at highway speeds that get better when you slow down.
- What is a tire balance service?
- During a tire balance service, your tires and wheels are mounted onto a tire balancing machine. 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.
